CN115698414A

CN115698414A - Washing machine, control method and control system

Info

Publication number: CN115698414A
Application number: CN202180042854.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 成瀬隼人; 坂本一树; 藤原庆钟; 岸竜弘; 村上健太; 末益智志
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-19
Filing date: 2021-06-14
Publication date: 2023-02-03
Also published as: TW202204716A; WO2021256430A1

Abstract

A washing machine (500) is a washing machine capable of communicating with an external device, and is provided with: a communication unit (570) that receives washing information from an external device; a washing function unit that performs an operation related to washing of laundry based on the washing information; and a control device (550) for controlling the washing function unit, wherein the washing information includes sequence information and a plurality of control information, each control information of the plurality of control information is control information related to a parameter for controlling the operation of the washing function unit, the sequence information is information related to a sequence for executing the plurality of control information, the control device (550) corrects the washing information based on a rule related to the sequence of the washing, and the washing function unit executes the operation based on the washing information by executing the corrected washing information.

Description

Washing machine, control method and control system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine, a control method, and a control system.

Background

Conventionally, household appliances, residential appliances, and the like are controlled in accordance with operating conditions (control programs) prepared in advance by manufacturers thereof and the like. Patent document 1 discloses a washing machine capable of setting an operation condition of washing to be performed by a user.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2003-284889

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the above-described prior art, the control program developed in advance by the manufacturer of the product or the like must be saved in advance in the product, so that it is difficult to customize and update the control program in accordance with various needs of the user.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a washing machine and the like capable of more simply and safely executing various control programs.

Means for solving the problems

A washing machine according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a washing machine capable of communicating with an external device, the washing machine including: a communication part which receives washing information from the external device; a washing function unit that performs an operation related to washing of laundry based on the washing information; and a control device that controls the washing function unit, wherein the washing information includes sequence information and a plurality of control information, each of the plurality of control information is control information related to a parameter for controlling an operation of the washing function unit, the sequence information is information related to a sequence in which the plurality of control information are executed, the control device corrects the washing information based on a rule related to a sequence of washing, and causes the washing function unit to execute the operation based on the washing information by executing the corrected washing information.

The general or specific aspects may be implemented by a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can execute various control programs more easily and safely.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2A is a hardware configuration diagram of the cloud server in embodiment 1.

Fig. 2B is a hardware configuration diagram of the apparatus in embodiment 1.

Fig. 2C is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal in embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the washing machine.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of the washing machine.

Fig. 6A shows a first example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6B shows a second example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6C shows a third example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6D shows a fourth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6E shows a fifth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6F shows a sixth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6G shows a seventh example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6H shows an eighth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6I shows a ninth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6J shows a tenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6K shows a tenth example of a module for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6L shows a twelfth example of the modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. Fig. 6M shows a thirteenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6N shows a fourteenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6O shows a fifteenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6P shows a sixteenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram of the system in embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 shows an example of the device database in embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 shows an example of the declaration of the execution content in embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 shows a flowchart of the confirmation-before-execution process in embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 shows an example of the rule database in embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 shows a first example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1.

Fig. 13 shows a second example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1.

Fig. 14 shows a third example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1.

Fig. 15 shows a fourth example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1.

Fig. 16 shows a fifth example of the modification of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1.

Fig. 17 shows a sixth example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1.

Fig. 18 shows a seventh example of the modification of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1.

Fig. 19 shows an eighth example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1.

Fig. 20 shows a ninth example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1.

Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the classification rule in modification 1 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 22 is a flowchart of the check-before-execution process in modification 1 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 23A shows the modification of the execution content declaration in modification 1 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 23B shows the modification of the execution content declaration in modification 1 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 23C shows the modification of the execution content declaration in modification 1 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 24 is a flowchart of the check-before-execution process in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 25A shows a first example of the correction of the execution content declaration in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 25B shows a first example of the correction of the execution content declaration in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 25C shows a first example of the correction of the execution content declaration in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 25D shows a first example of the correction of the execution content declaration in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 26A shows a second example of modification of the execution content declaration in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 26B shows a second example of the modification of the execution content declaration in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 26C shows a second example of modification of the execution content declaration in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 26D shows a second example of modification of the execution content declaration in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 27A is a sequence diagram of the system in modification 4 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 27B is a sequence diagram of the system in modification 5 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 27C is a sequence diagram of the system in modification 6 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 27D is a sequence diagram of the system in modification 7 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 27E is a sequence diagram of the system in modification 8 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 28 is a flowchart showing the confirmation-before-execution process in embodiment 2.

Fig. 29 is a flowchart showing the confirmation-before-execution process in embodiment 3.

Fig. 30 is a flowchart showing the confirmation-before-execution process in embodiment 4.

Fig. 31 shows an example of the rule database according to embodiment 4.

Detailed Description

(insight underlying the present disclosure)

The inventors of the present application have described the process of achieving the present disclosure. For home appliances and the like having actuators and/or heaters, an open development environment is required in order to develop control programs in accordance with various demands of users. That is, an environment is sought in which the difficulty of development of the control program is reduced so that a third party can easily participate in the development of the control program. In such an environment, for example, a clothing company can also develop a control program for a washing machine for washing clothes sold by the company.

Therefore, the present inventors studied one of the following structures: it is possible to construct an environment in which a control program can be developed while maintaining security using a functional module obtained by abstracting control over an actuator and a heater included in a product, and to package and distribute a control program composed of a combination of a plurality of functional modules as an application program. Therefore, various application programs can be issued, and products can be customized and updated to meet more various requirements of users. However, in such an environment, there is a possibility that dangerous applications (i.e., applications that cannot safely control the product) are issued, and the safety of the product is lowered.

For example, it is assumed that a program contained in a home appliance or the like is embedded in a device for directly controlling an actuator and/or a heater, and a program developed by a manufacturer and a program developed by a third party are contained in a state of being mixed with each other. At this time, there is a high possibility that the manufacturer does not disclose information of all home appliances and the like including a know-how (know-how) to the third party. For example, the parameters or timing for driving the actuators and heaters are know-how regarding the performance of the manufacturer's home appliances and the like. Thus, since there is a fear that competitiveness is reduced, there is a low possibility that a manufacturer discloses a know-how to a third party so as to be able to freely drive home appliances and the like.

Therefore, the third party may create an application including a combination of controls or a parameter range not assumed by the manufacturer, that is, an application that cannot ensure security, due to insufficient information of the home appliance or the like. Such applications are provided to the user which is undesirable to the user.

In addition, manufacturers of home appliances and the like are considering attempting to upgrade the lives of users by providing new control programs. However, it takes a lot of time to develop various new control programs, such as parameter adjustment and hardware performance evaluation. It is easily expected that since hardware of an actuator and/or a heater of a home appliance or the like is physically driven, man-hours for performance evaluation and the like of a program of the home appliance or the like are increased compared with those of a program of a smartphone. However, in an era where on-demand development according to the life of each user is pursued without pursuing mass production, development of various control programs for home appliances and the like is demanded, as in the case of the program for the smartphone. Therefore, manufacturers must create a variety of applications that ensure the safety of products while reducing a large number of man-hours.

Further, manufacturers desire to ensure safe operation even when home appliances and the like are operated using an application program provided by a third party. In this case, it is desired to reduce the amount of work for actually driving various applications in home appliances and the like to verify safety.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a device and the like capable of more simply and safely executing a variety of applications defined by a plurality of functional modules for driving an actuator and/or a heater.

The embodiments are specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

The embodiments described below are all general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection modes of the constituent elements, steps, order of the steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the claims.

The drawings are not necessarily strictly illustrated. In the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted or simplified.

(embodiment mode 1)

[1.1 hardware configuration ]

The hardware configuration of the system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 2C. Fig. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a system 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2A is a hardware configuration diagram of the cloud server 10 in embodiment 1. Fig. 2B is a hardware configuration diagram of the apparatus 20 in embodiment 1. Fig. 2C is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal 30 in embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the system 1 of the present embodiment includes a cloud server 10, devices 20a to 20h used in facilities 2a to 2d, and terminals 30a to 30d. The facilities 2a to 2d are, for example, houses, but are not limited thereto. The facilities 2a to 2d may be, for example, apartments, stores, offices, and the like. The system 1 is an example of a control system.

The cloud server 10 is a virtual server provided via a computer network (e.g., the internet). The cloud server 10 is communicably connected to the devices 20a to 20h and the terminals 30a to 30d via a computer network. In addition, a physical server may be used instead of the cloud server 10. The cloud server 10 is an example of an external device.

As shown in fig. 2A, the cloud server 10 virtually includes a processor 11 and a memory 12 connected to the processor 11. The processor 11 functions as a sequence manager and a device manager, which will be described later, when executing instructions or software programs stored in the memory 12.

The devices 20a to 20h are electromechanical devices used in the facilities 2a to 2 d. In fig. 1, the devices 20c to 20h used in the facilities 2b to 2d are not shown. Hereinafter, the device 20 is described as a device 20 when there is no need to distinguish the devices 20a to 20 h.

As the device 20, a home appliance (home appliance), a house appliance, or the like can be used. Home appliances (home appliances) and home appliances are not limited to devices used in homes, and include devices used in businesses. In the present disclosure, home appliances, house appliances, and the like are not described as home appliances in some cases. Examples of the home appliances include a microwave oven, an electric rice cooker, a Blender (Blender), an electric oven, an electric toaster, an electric kettle, a hot plate, an IH (Induction heating) cooker, a roaster, a baker, an electric pressure cooker, an electric waterless cooker, a multifunctional cooker, a coffee maker, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dish washer, a vacuum cleaner, an air conditioner, an air cleaner, a humidifier, a dryer, an electric fan, and an ionizer. As residential appliances, for example, electric blinds, electronic locks, electric water heaters for bathtubs, and the like are used. The apparatus 20 is not limited to these devices.

As shown in fig. 2B, the device 20 includes a housing 21, an actuator 22, a heater 23, and a controller 24. The device 20 may be provided with at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, or may be provided without both the actuator 22 and the heater 23.

The housing 21 accommodates the actuator 22, the heater 23, and the control unit 24. The housing 21 may have an internal space for the object to be processed. For example, the present invention corresponds to an internal space for processing an object, such as a washing tub of a washing machine, a heating chamber of a microwave oven, and an inner pot of an electric rice cooker.

The actuator 22 is a mechanical element that converts input energy into physical motion based on an electrical signal. Examples of the actuator 22 include an electric motor, a hydraulic cylinder, and a pneumatic actuator, but are not limited thereto.

The heater 23 is an electric heater that converts electric energy into thermal energy. The heater 23 heats the object by, for example, joule heating, induction heating, dielectric heating, or the like. As the heater 23, for example, a nichrome wire, a coil, a magnetron, or the like can be used.

Here, an example of the reason why the device 20 of the present disclosure includes the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 will be described. Consider the following: the manufacturer of the home appliance or the like provides a development environment capable of freely controlling all the parameters, combinations of driving, for driving the actuator 22 and the heater 23 to a third party. In this case, the third party can create a program that can safely drive the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 or control the drive of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 without departing from the parameter range that the manufacturer has assumed. In particular, driving of the actuator 22 that performs physical movement or the heater 23 that outputs thermal energy, which is not assumed by the manufacturer, has a great problem in ensuring safety. Examples of the drive which is not assumed by the manufacturer include high-speed rotation of an electric motor as an example of an actuator and supply of an overcurrent to the heater 23. The present inventors have aimed at not hindering the construction of an environment capable of providing a wide variety of applications to users due to excessive consideration of security aspects. Therefore, the apparatus 20 of the present disclosure is targeted to assume safety aspects exclusively for the actuator 22 that performs physical movement, or the heater 23 that outputs thermal energy.

The controller 24 is a controller that controls the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23, and functions as a device described later. The control unit 24 is formed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The terminals 30a to 30d are used in the facilities 2a to 2d, respectively, and function as user interfaces. Note that, in fig. 1, illustration of the terminals 30b to 30d used in the facilities 2b to 2d is omitted. Hereinafter, the terminal 30 is described as a terminal 30 when there is no need to distinguish the terminals 30a to 30d.

The terminal 30 is connected to the cloud server 10 and the device 20 via a computer network, and functions as a User Interface (UI) described later. As the terminal 30, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer can be used. The terminal 30 may be a terminal fixed to a wall, a floor, or a ceiling of the facilities 2a to 2 d. The terminal 30 may be included in the device 20. For example, the terminal 30 may be implemented as a display terminal having a display or the like incorporated in each of the devices 20a to 20 h.

As shown in fig. 2C, the terminal 30 is provided with a display 31 and an input device 32. As the display 31, for example, a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display can be used. As the input device 32, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, a mechanical button, or the like can be used. In addition, as the input device 32, a voice input device may be used. The display 31 and the input device 32 may also be integrally implemented as a touch screen. Alternatively, as the input device 32, a gesture input device may be used. The gesture input device has, for example, a camera and a recognition unit. The camera captures an image including a gesture, and the recognition unit recognizes the gesture using the image.

[1.2 functional Structure ]

Next, a functional configuration of the system 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the system 1 according to embodiment 1.

The cloud server 10 includes a sequence manager 100 and a device manager 200. The apparatuses 20a to 20h are provided with devices 300a to 300h, respectively. The terminals 30a to 30d are provided with UIs 400a to 400d, respectively.

Hereinafter, the devices 300a to 300h are described as the devices 300 when there is no need to distinguish the devices. In addition, when there is no need to distinguish between the UIs 400a to 400d, the UI 400 is described.

The sequence manager 100 manages a plurality of applications. A plurality of applications are downloaded from the application distribution platform to the sequence manager 100, for example, by operation of a user. Alternatively, the applications contained by the application publication platform may not be downloaded to the sequence manager 100. In this case, information indicating that an application included in the application distribution platform is associated may be recorded in the database of the sequence manager 100. The details of the application are described later.

The device manager 200 has a database for managing the plurality of facilities 2a to 2d, and the devices 300 and the UIs 400 used in the facilities 2a to 2 d. The device manager 200 manages the devices 300 and the UI 400 by recording device information associated with the facilities 2a to 2d and UI information in a database. The device information and UI information include, for example, a control function, a drive function, an operation status, and the like. For example, the device manager 200 can manage the operating conditions of the device 300 and grasp the operating schedule of the device 300. In addition, the device manager 200 may also manage log information of the device 300.

Such a database may be provided by the sequence manager 100 instead of the device manager 200, or may be provided by both the sequence manager 100 and the device manager 200.

The apparatus 300 has control functions and driving functions for the device 20. Device 300 is capable of driving apparatus 20 in accordance with instructions from device manager 200.

UI 400 provides information to the user and accepts input by the user.

Next, the structure of the washing machine 500 as an example of the device 20 will be described with reference to fig. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the washing machine 500. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the washing machine 500.

The washing machine 500 includes a housing 501 having an inner space. An opening is provided on the front side of the housing 501, and a door 505 that can be opened and closed is provided at the opening of the housing 501. A door lock mechanism 506 for locking the door 505 is provided at the opening of the housing 501.

A water tank 502 elastically supported in the housing 501 is provided inside the housing 501. Water tank 502 is an example of a tank provided in washing machine 500. A bottomed cylindrical washing tank 503 (also referred to as a drum) having an opening at one end on the front side and a bottom at the other end on the rear side is rotatably provided inside the water tank 502 with a rotation shaft Ax 1. A gap is formed between the inner surface of the water tank 502 and the outer surface of the washing tank 503. The rotation axis Ax1 of the washing tank 503 is inclined such that the opening of the washing tank 503 is located above the bottom, for example.

The washing tank 503 is provided with a plurality of holes penetrating the side surface of the washing tank 503. A washing motor 504 for rotationally driving the washing tub 503 is provided behind the water tub 502. The washing motor 504 is, for example, a dc motor, and the rotation speed can be freely controlled by inverter control.

A vibration sensor 507 is provided above the water tank 502. The vibration sensor 507 detects the degree of vibration of the water tank 502.

A water supply pipe 512 is connected to an upper portion of the water tank 502. The water supply pipe 512 is connected to a tap water pipe. The water supply pipe 512 is provided with a water supply valve 511 for preventing water from flowing into the water supply pipe. The water supply valve 511 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve that is electrically opened and closed by being inputted with a control signal. An automatic dispenser 513 is provided in the water supply pipe 512, and the automatic dispenser 513 contains the liquid detergent and/or softener to be dispensed into the washing tank 503. The automatic dispenser 513 is a device that measures an amount of liquid detergent and/or conditioner corresponding to the control signal using an actuator and dispenses the measured liquid detergent and/or conditioner into the water supply pipe 512. Therefore, water from the water supply pipe and a predetermined amount of liquid detergent and/or softener fed from the automatic feeding machine 513 are mixed in the water supply pipe 512 to be washing water and flow into the water tank 502. The automatic dispenser 513 may have both an actuator for dispensing the liquid detergent and an actuator for dispensing the softener.

Washing machine 500 is provided with a water level sensor (not shown) for detecting the water level in water tank 502. The water level sensor may be a pressure sensor disposed in a pipe different from the water supply pipe 512 connected to the water tank 502 and detecting the internal pressure of the water tank 502. That is, the water level of the water tank 502 is detected using the detection result of the pressure sensor.

Further, a bathtub water pipe 517 is connected to an upper portion of the water tank 502. A hose for introducing water stored in a bathtub in a home is connected to the bathtub water pipe 517. A bathtub water pump (bath-pump) 516 for pumping up water stored in the bathtub is connected to the bathtub water pipe 517. By driving the bathtub water pump 516, water can be supplied from the bathtub by the bathtub water pump that guides water in the bathtub from the bathtub through the hose into the inside of the water tank 502.

A drain pipe 521 is connected to the lower portion of the water tank 502. The drain pipe 521 is connected to a drain hose for discharging the washing water to the outside of the washing machine 500. The drain pipe 521 is provided with a drain filter 522 for removing foreign substances in the water flowing through the drain pipe 521 and a drain valve 523 for blocking the flow of water from the drain pipe 521 to the drain hose. The drain valve 523 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve that is electrically opened and closed by being inputted with a control signal.

Further, a circulation pipe 525 is connected to the drain pipe 521. One end of the circulation pipe 525 is connected to the drain pipe 521, and the other end is connected to the lower front portion of the water tank 502. The circulation pipe 525 is a pipe for returning the water flowing through the drain pipe 521 and passing through the drain filter 522 to the water tank 502. A circulation pump 524 for circulating water in the water tank 502 is connected to the circulation pipe 525. When circulating pump 524 is driven, the washing water flowing through drain pipe 521 and flowing into circulating pipe 525 is returned to water tank 502 by circulating pump 524.

One end of the duct 533 is connected to the upper portion of the front side of the water tank 502, and the other end of the duct 533 is connected to the upper portion of the rear side of the water tank 502. The duct 533 is provided with a heat pump 532 that cools and heats air in the duct 533, and a circulation fan 534 for circulating the air in the duct 533. The heat pump 532 is constituted by a refrigerant circuit, not shown, having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. In the refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant is circulated by driving a compressor. In the heat pump 532, the air in the duct 533 is cooled in the evaporator and then heated in the condenser. By cooling in the evaporator, moisture in the air in the duct 533 is removed, and then, by heating in the condenser, the air in the duct 533 becomes high-temperature air that is heated and dried. The heated and dried air of high temperature is blown to the inside of the water tank 502 by the circulation fan 534. This promotes drying of laundry such as laundry in water tank 502.

An intake air sensor 531 is provided on the upstream side of the duct 533. The intake air sensor 531 is a sensor that detects the temperature of air flowing on the upstream side of the duct 533.

A warm air sensor 535 is provided on the downstream side of the duct 533. The warm air sensor 535 detects the temperature of the air in the duct 533.

A sterilizing device 536 for sterilizing the laundry in the washing tub 503 is provided downstream of the duct 533. The sterilization device 536 generates functional substances such as charged corpuscle water. Since the air containing the functional substances generated by the sterilizing device 536 is blown out into the washing tub 503 by the circulation fan 534, the laundry in the washing tub 503 is sterilized by the functional substances.

Further, a first bubble sensor 541 and a second bubble sensor 542 for detecting the occurrence of bubbles in the water tank 502 are provided in the water tank 502. The first bubble sensor 541 detects that more bubbles than the first amount are generated inside the water tank 502. The second bubble sensor 542 detects that more bubbles than the second amount are generated inside the water tank 502. The first amount is greater than the second amount. That is, the first bubble sensor 541 detects a case where more bubbles are generated than the second bubble sensor 542.

A hot water heater 543 for heating the washing water in the water tank 502 is provided at a lower portion of the water tank 502. A hot water sensor 544 for detecting that the temperature of the washing water in the water tank 502 is higher than a predetermined temperature is provided at the lower portion of the water tank 502.

An operation panel 560 for receiving an input from a user to operate the washing machine 500 is provided at an upper front portion of the casing 501. The operation panel 560 may display a result obtained by receiving an input from the user, or may output a sound corresponding to the result. Operation panel 560 may display the calculation result of control device 550 or output a sound indicating the calculation result. Operation panel 560 may display an operating state of washing machine 500, or may output a sound indicating the operating state. The communication unit 570 is a communication interface that can communicate with an external device, for example, a computer network. Communication unit 570 may be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) interface, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) interface, or an interface for connecting to a mobile phone communication Network. The communication unit 570 may be communicably connected to a hub device (not shown) that is communicably connected to the cloud server 10. That is, the communication unit 570 may be communicably connected to the cloud server 10 via the hub device. The communication unit 570 may communicate with the hub device by infrared ray/short-range wireless communication or the like, or may communicate with the hub device by using the communication interface exemplified above.

A control device 550 is provided in the housing 501. The control unit 550 acquires detection results from various sensors such as the vibration sensor 507, the water level sensor 515, the intake air sensor 531, the warm air sensor 535, the first foam sensor 541, the second foam sensor 542, and the warm water sensor 544. The control device 550 controls the operations of the washing motor 504, the door lock mechanism 506, the water supply valve 511, the automatic dispenser 513, the bathtub water pump 516, the drain valve 523, the circulation pump 524, the heat pump 532, the circulation fan 534, the sterilization device 536, the hot water heater 543, and the operation panel 560 based on the detection result. The washing motor 504, the door lock mechanism 506, the water supply valve 511, the automatic dispenser 513, the bathtub water pump 516, the drain valve 523, the circulation pump 524, the heat pump 532, the circulation fan 534, the sterilizing device 536, and the hot water heater 543 are examples of a washing function unit that performs an operation related to washing of laundry, and are also examples of the actuator 22 and the heater 23. Various sensors such as the vibration sensor 507, the water level sensor 515, the air intake sensor 531, the warm air sensor 535, the first foam sensor 541, the second foam sensor 542, and the hot water sensor 544 are examples of the detection unit for detecting the operation state of the washing function unit. Further, since the control device 550 controls the washing function unit, it may function as a detection unit that detects an operation state of the washing function unit. For example, the controller 550 may measure the elapsed time of each operation of the washing function unit as the operation state of the washing function unit.

Here, the application program will be explained. In the present embodiment, the application program (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an application) refers to a control program defined by a plurality of functional modules (hereinafter, simply referred to as modules) for driving the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. Each of the plurality of modules can contain parameters for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23. Specifically, each of the plurality of modules is a module obtained by abstracting control over the actuator 22 or the heater 23. Each of the plurality of modules is an example of control information.

Further, the application program may include a module not for driving the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23, in addition to a plurality of modules for driving the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. Examples of the module not used for driving the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 include information display using an interface provided in the device 300, sound output using a buzzer provided in the device 300, and turning on or off a lamp provided in the device 300. In addition, the module may also contain a condition for starting driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23. For example, an application including a first module and a second module will be described as an example. Here, when switching to the second module while the first module is being executed, the first module is switched to the second module when a start condition included in the second module is satisfied. In addition, the module may include the end condition instead of the start condition. When switching to a second module while a first module is being executed, the first module is switched to the second module when an end condition included in the first module is satisfied.

Next, a specific example of modules for defining the application of the washing machine 500 will be described with reference to fig. 6A to 6O. The modules shown in fig. 6A to 6O are control information relating to parameters for controlling the operation of the washing function unit.

Fig. 6A shows a first example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. A module 1000 shown in fig. 6A is a module for controlling a washing amount detection operation for detecting the amount of laundry such as laundry put in the washing tub 503. In the washing amount detection operation, for example, the washing motor 504 is driven to detect the torque current flowing through the washing motor 504, and the memory of the control device 550 is referred to determine the washing amount corresponding to the detected torque current in advance, thereby detecting the determined washing amount as the washing amount in the washing tub 503.

Fig. 6B shows a second example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1010 shown in fig. 6B is a module for controlling the operation of supplying water to the water tank 502, and includes

parameters

1011 and 1012. The parameter 1011 includes a value indicating the amount of water supplied into the water tank 502 by the water level after the water supply. The parameter 1011 may be said to indicate the operation timing of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. Control device 550 performs, for example, the following control: the water supply is continued until the water level of the water tank 502 detected by the water level sensor 515 reaches the water level indicated by the parameter 1011, and the water supply is stopped when the water level reaches the water level indicated by the parameter 1011. The parameters 1012 contain parameters for specifying a water supply path. Specifically, the parameter 1012 is a parameter for specifying whether to supply water in the first water supply path to supply water from the water supply pipe 512 by opening the water supply valve 511, or to supply water in the second water supply path to supply water from the bath water pipe 517 by driving the bath water pump 516. In the case of water supply in the first water supply path, the control means 550 starts water supply by opening the water supply valve 511 and stops water supply by closing the water supply valve 511. In the case of water supply in the second water supply path, control device 550 starts water supply by starting driving of bath water pump 516, and stops water supply by stopping driving of bath water pump 516.

In the case where water is supplied through the second water supply path during the water supply operation, if the water level is not at the water level indicated by the parameter 1011 even after a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 to 10 minutes), the controller 550 may switch the second water supply path to the first water supply path to supply water.

Fig. 6C shows a third example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1020 shown in fig. 6C is a module for controlling the water filling and rinsing operation of the water tank 502, and includes parameters 1021 to 1025. The water rinsing operation is an operation of supplying water to the water tank 502 and rotating the washing tank 503 to agitate the laundry and the water to rinse the laundry. The water-filling rinsing operation is, for example, the following operation: the water level in water tub 502 is moved up and down between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level by repeating water supply and water discharge, and washing tub 503 is rotated to rinse the laundry. Parameter 1021 includes a value indicating the upper limit of the water level when water is supplied to water tank 502 during the water filling rinsing operation. The parameter 1021 may be said to be a water level indicating a trigger for stopping the water supply and opening the water discharge valve 523. The parameter 1022 includes a value indicating the lower limit of the water level when water is supplied to the water tank 502. The parameter 1022 may be a water level indicating the start of water supply and a trigger for the operation of closing the water discharge valve 523. As described above, the

parameters

1021 and 1022 can be said to represent the operation timing of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The parameter 1023 includes a value indicating the action time of the water filling rinsing action. The parameter 1023 may also be said to indicate the drive time of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The parameter 1024 includes a value indicating the rotation speed (rotation speed) of the washing tub 503, that is, the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. Parameter 1025 contains a value that represents the stirring intensity. The value indicating the agitation intensity is, for example, a value indicating a time from the start of one rotation of the washing tub 503 in the rinsing operation until the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1024 is reached. The

parameters

1024, 1025 may also be said to represent the strength of the drive of the actuator 22 and/or heater 23.

Fig. 6D shows a fourth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. Module 1030 shown in fig. 6D is a module for controlling a detergent dispensing action, comprising parameter 1031. The detergent dispensing operation is an operation of automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid detergent into the water supply pipe 512 by driving an actuator of the automatic dispenser 513. The parameter 1031 includes a value indicating the amount of liquid detergent to be supplied to the water supply pipe 512. The parameter 1031 may be said to represent the operation amount of an actuator for causing the automatic dispenser 513 to dispense the liquid detergent.

Fig. 6E shows a fifth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1040 shown in fig. 6E is a module for controlling the softener delivery action, including parameters 1041. The softener supply operation is an operation of automatically supplying a predetermined amount of softener to the water supply pipe 512 by driving an actuator of the automatic supply machine 513. The parameter 1041 includes a value indicating the amount of softener to be supplied to the water supply pipe 512. The parameter 1041 may be said to represent the amount of movement of an actuator for causing the automatic dispensing machine 513 to dispense the softener.

Fig. 6F shows a sixth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. A module 1050 shown in fig. 6F is a module for controlling the agitation operation of the washing machine, and includes parameters 1051 to 1058. The parameter 1051 contains information indicating the kind of stirring (e.g., normal, scrub, shake). The parameter 1051 may be said to indicate the type of function. Parameter 1052 includes a value representing the rotational speed (rotational speed) of the drum (wash tub 503), that is, the rotational speed of wash motor 504. The parameter 1052 can also be said to represent the intensity of the driving of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. Parameter 1053 includes a value indicating the rotation time of washing tub 503 rotating once during the agitation operation, that is, the driving time of washing motor 504. Parameter 1054 includes a value indicating the time during which the rotation of washing tub 503 during the agitation operation is stopped between one rotation and the next rotation, that is, the stop time of washing motor 504. The parameter 1055 includes a value indicating the operation time of the stirring operation. The parameters 1053 to 1055 may be said to indicate the driving time of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. Parameter 1056 includes a value indicating the start of water supply into water tank 502. That is, the parameter 1056 contains a value indicating that the water supply valve 511 is brought into an open state. The parameter 1056 may be said to indicate a state after the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven. The parameter 1057 includes a value indicating the rotation direction (normal rotation or reverse rotation) of the circulation pump. Parameter 1058 contains a value representing the intensity of agitation. The value indicating the agitation intensity is, for example, a value indicating a time from the start of one rotation of the washing tub 503 in the rinsing operation until the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1052 is reached. The module 1050 may include a parameter for driving the hot water heater 543 until the water temperature in the water tank 502 rises to a predetermined temperature.

The controller 550 performs the stirring operation of the type indicated by the parameter 1051. The control device 550 rotates the washing motor 504 at the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1052 and at the agitation intensity indicated by the parameter 1056, and stops the washing motor 504 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1055 elapses from the start of the agitation operation. Further, during the stirring operation, control device 550 opens water supply valve 511 based on parameter 1056. Further, during the stirring operation, controller 550 causes circulating pump 524 to operate in the rotating direction indicated by parameter 1057.

Fig. 6G shows a seventh example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1060 shown in fig. 6G is a module for controlling the rotation of the drum, and includes parameters 1061 to 1065. The parameter 1061 includes a value indicating the rotation speed (rotation speed) of the drum (the washing tub 503), that is, the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. The parameter 1061 may also be said to indicate the intensity of the drive of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The parameter 1062 includes a value indicating the rotation direction of the drum (the washing tub 503). The parameter 1062 may be a parameter indicating the type of operation of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The parameter 1063 includes a value indicating whether to start (ON) or stop (OFF) an operation of automatically feeding a predetermined amount of liquid detergent to the water supply pipe 512 by driving an actuator of the automatic feeding machine 513. Parameter 1064 includes a value indicating the start of water supply into tank 502. That is, parameter 1064 includes a value indicating that water supply valve 511 is opened. The parameter 1064 may also be said to indicate a state after the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven. The parameter 1065 includes a value indicating the rotation direction (normal rotation or reverse rotation) of the circulation pump 524. The module 1060 may include a parameter for driving the hot water heater 543 until the water temperature in the water tank 502 rises to a predetermined temperature.

During the drum rotation operation, the control device 550 rotates the washing motor 504 at the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1061 and in the rotation direction indicated by the parameter 1062. Further, the control device 550 opens the water supply valve 511 based on the parameter 1063 during the drum rotation operation. Further, during the drum rotation operation, controller 550 causes circulation pump 524 to operate in the direction based on parameter 1064.

Fig. 6H shows an eighth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1070 shown in fig. 6H is a module for controlling the dehydration operation, and includes

parameters

1071 and 1072. Parameter 1071 includes a value indicating the rotation speed (rotation speed) of the drum (washing tub 503), that is, the rotation speed of washing motor 504. The parameter 1071 may be said to indicate the intensity of driving of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. Parameter 1072 includes a value indicating the operation time of the dehydration operation. The control device 550 rotates the washing motor 504 at the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1071 during the spin-drying operation, and stops the washing motor 504 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1072 elapses from the start of the spin-drying operation.

Fig. 6I shows a ninth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. A module 1080 shown in fig. 6I is a module for controlling a draining operation of the water from the water tank 502, and includes

parameters

1081 and 1082. The parameter 1081 includes a value indicating the open state or the closed state of the drain valve 523. The parameter 1082 includes a value indicating a water level that is a trigger for stopping the water discharge. During the draining operation, controller 550 operates drain valve 523 to be opened to start the draining operation for draining the washing water in water tank 502 to the outside of washing machine 500. When the water level sensor detects that the water level of the water tank 502 is the water level indicated by the parameter 1082, the controller 550 operates the drain valve 523 to the closed state, thereby ending the drain operation.

Fig. 6J shows a tenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. A module 1090 shown in fig. 6J is a module for controlling the door lock operation, and includes a parameter 1091. The parameter 1091 includes a value indicating whether the door lock mechanism 506 is in the locked state or the unlocked state. The parameter 1091 may be said to indicate a state after the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven. When parameter 1091 indicates that the door lock mechanism 506 is in the locked state and the door lock mechanism 506 is in the unlocked state, the control device 550 switches the door lock mechanism 506 to the locked state. When parameter 1091 indicates that the door lock mechanism 506 is in the unlocked state and the door lock mechanism 506 is in the locked state, the control device 550 switches the door lock mechanism 506 to the unlocked state.

Fig. 6K shows a tenth example of a module for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1100 shown in fig. 6K is a module for controlling the dipping operation, and includes

parameters

1101 and 1102. Parameter 1101 includes a value indicating the rotation direction (forward rotation or reverse rotation) of circulation pump 524. The parameter 1102 includes a value indicating the operation time of the dipping operation. The controller 550 operates the circulation pump 524 in the rotation direction indicated by the parameter 1101, and stops the circulation pump 524 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1102 elapses from the start of the dipping operation.

Fig. 6L shows a twelfth example of the modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1110 shown in FIG. 6L is a module for controlling sterilization and antimicrobial activity, and includes

parameters

1111, 1112. The parameter 1111 contains a value indicating the operation time for driving the sterilizing device 536 and the circulation fan 534. The parameter 1112 includes a value representing the rotational speed (rotational speed) of the circulation fan 534. The controller 550 drives the sterilizing unit 536 and the circulating fan 534 during the sterilizing and antimicrobial operations, and stops the sterilizing unit 536 and the circulating fan 534 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1111 has elapsed. In the sterilizing and antibacterial actions, the control unit 550 drives the circulation fan 534 at a rotation speed (rotation speed) indicated by a parameter 1112.

Fig. 6M shows a thirteenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1120 shown in fig. 6M is a module for controlling the operation of the buzzer, and includes a parameter 1121. The parameter 1121 includes a value indicating the operation time of the speaker for driving the operation panel 560. The control device 550 outputs a buzzer sound during the buzzer operation, and stops outputting the buzzer sound when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1121 elapses from the start of outputting the buzzer sound.

Fig. 6N shows a fourteenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. A module 1130 shown in fig. 6N is a module for controlling an air blowing operation, and includes

parameters

1131 and 1132. The parameter 1131 includes a value indicating the operation time for driving the circulation fan 534. The parameter 1132 includes a value indicating the temperature of the air blown into the water tank 502 by the circulation fan 534. The control device 550 drives the circulation fan 534 during the air blowing operation, and stops the circulation fan 534 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1131 elapses from the start of driving the circulation fan 534. Alternatively, control device 550 drives circulation fan 534 during the air blowing operation, and stops circulation fan 534 when warm air sensor 535 detects that the temperature of circulation fan 534 has dropped to or below the temperature indicated by parameter 1132 after the start of driving circulation fan 534.

Fig. 6O shows a fifteenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1140 shown in fig. 6O is a module for controlling the drying operation, and includes parameters 1141. The parameter 1141 includes a value indicating a pattern (operation pattern) of a low-temperature, standard, sufficient drying operation. Specifically, in the low temperature mode, drying is performed at a low temperature lower than a predetermined temperature in the washing tank 503. In the standard mode, drying is performed at a standard temperature at which the temperature in the washing tank 503 is higher than a predetermined temperature. In the sufficient mode, drying is continued for a certain time period after the inside of the washing tub 503 is detected to be in a dry state. When the difference between the temperature on the intake side detected by the intake sensor 531 and the temperature on the exhaust side detected by the warm air sensor 535 is smaller than a predetermined difference, the controller 550 determines that the state is the dry state. Each mode may be configured by a combination of time [ m ] of the drying operation, fan rotation speed [ rpm ] of the circulation fan 534, drying detection temperature [ deg ] obtained by the intake air sensor 531 and/or the warm air sensor 535, the same kind of agitation as the parameter 1051, the same drum rotation speed [ rpm ] as the parameter 1052, the same drum start (ON) time [ s ] as the parameter 1053, and the same drum stop (OFF) time [ s ] as the parameter 1054.

Fig. 6P shows a sixteenth example of modules for specifying an application in embodiment 1. The module 1150 shown in FIG. 6P is a module for controlling the foam generating action and includes parameters 1151 to 1153. Parameter 1151 includes a value indicating the rotation speed (rotation speed) of washing tub 503, that is, the rotation speed of washing motor 504. Parameter 1152 includes a value indicating the rotation direction of the drum (washing tub 503). The parameter 1152 may be said to indicate the type of operation of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The parameter 1153 contains a value indicating an action time of the foam generating action. During the foam generating operation, controller 550 rotates washing motor 504 at the rotation speed indicated by parameter 1153, and stops washing motor 504 when the operation time indicated by parameter 1153 elapses from the start of the foam generating operation.

In order to specify an application, a plurality of modules as shown in fig. 6A to 6O are used. The plurality of modules shown in fig. 6A to 6O are examples, and the modules used in the washing machine 500 are not limited to these modules. For example, the modules may also be layered according to levels of abstraction.

For example, the level of abstraction may also be altered using a manufacturer-oriented hierarchy and a non-manufacturer-oriented hierarchy. Examples of non-manufacturers are hierarchies towards other manufacturers, hierarchies towards third parties.

In this case, the abstraction level of the hierarchy for the manufacturer is lower than that for the hierarchy for the non-manufacturer. The low abstraction means that the control is performed close to the parameters for driving the actuator and the heater.

On the other hand, producers can develop applications by providing them with modules with a minimal level of abstraction to ensure know-how and security. Manufacturers are able to develop applications by providing modules with higher levels of abstraction to average users. A higher level of abstraction corresponds, for example, to a module specified by terms that can be understood even by an average user without expert knowledge on their own. Terms that can be understood even without expert knowledge are, for example, contents corresponding to functions themselves of home appliances and the like. Specifically, when "sufficient" is selected as the parameter relating to the amount of water in the "washing" module of the washing machine, the water level parameter in the water supply module is increased from 60mm to 100mm, and the rotation amount parameter in the agitator module is decreased from 120rpm to 100rpm, and the like, in one concrete level. As described above, the order of modules at a high level of abstraction and the parameter change can be realized by modules having a lower level of abstraction. These modules can freely develop an application program by recombination and parameter adjustment while ensuring safety and security in driving the actuator and heater.

[1.3 treatment ]

Next, the processing of the system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram of the system 1 according to embodiment 1.

[1.3.1 preparatory stage F100]

First, the preparatory phase F100 will be explained.

(step S110)

The sequence manager 100 transmits sequence manager information to the device manager 200. The transmission of the sequence manager information is performed, for example, in accordance with a command of a system manager. The device manager 200 registers the received sequence manager information in, for example, a sequence manager database. In addition, when the sequence manager information is registered in advance in the sequence manager database, this step may be skipped.

The sequence manager information includes, for example, an identifier and/or an address (e.g., a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), an IP (Internet Protocol) address, etc.) of the sequence manager 100. The sequence manager information may include any information.

(step S112)

The device 300 transmits device information 1201 to the device manager 200. The transmission of the device information 1201 is performed, for example, when the device 300 is connected to a computer network. The device manager 200 registers the received device information 1201 in the device database 1200. Note that, when the device information 1201 is registered in advance in the device database 1200, this step may be skipped.

Further, the device information 1201 may be registered in the device manager 200 via the UI 400 after being transmitted to the UI 400.

The device information 1201 contains an identifier and/or an address of the device 300. The device information 1201 may include arbitrary information. Fig. 8 shows an example of the device database in embodiment 1. A plurality of pieces of device information including device information 1201 are registered in the device database 1200 in fig. 8. Each piece of device information includes a device ID, an address, a category, a manufacturer name, an actuator/heater, and a degradation level. The actuator/heater is identification information of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 constituting the device 300. The degradation level is an example of degradation information indicating whether or not the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 constituting the device 300 are degraded. Here, regarding the degradation level, if the value increases, it indicates that the degradation is progressing. The device information 1201 may include information on executable modules. The information on the executable modules may be information related to whether or not the modules included in the database are executable or not executable, or may be only information on executable modules. In addition, whether or not the module can be executed can be prepared in advance based on information of the actuator/heater and the like included in the device information 1201.

The device information 1201 may include information that can specify the facilities 2a to 2 d.

(step S114)

UI 400 sends UI information to device manager 200. The transmission of the UI information is performed, for example, according to an instruction from the user. Device manager 200 registers the received UI information in, for example, a UI database. Note that, when UI information is registered in the UI database in advance, this step may be skipped.

The UI information contains, for example, an identifier and/or an address of the UI 400. The UI information may include arbitrary information.

The UI information may include information that can specify the facilities 2a to 2 d.

Through the above processing, the sequence manager 100, the device manager 200, the device 300, and the UI 400 are associated with each other, and can establish connection with each other. Thereby, the preparation phase F100 ends.

[1.3.2 application Pre-execution stage F200]

Next, the application execution pre-stage F200 will be explained. Further, before the application execution pre-stage F200, the application program is downloaded from the application distribution platform into the sequence manager 100 as instructed by the user via the UI 400. In this manner, the following processing is performed in a state where the application program is downloaded to the sequence manager 100.

(step S210)

The UI 400 receives an application execution request from a user, and transmits the application execution request containing identification information of an application program to the sequence manager 100. For example, the user selects an application program from among a plurality of application programs downloaded to the sequence manager 100 via the UI 400 and instructs execution of the selected application program.

Further, the application execution request transmitted from the UI 400 to the sequence manager 100 is transmitted in a group with information that can specify the facilities 2a to 2 d.

Further, the application execution request may not be explicitly received from the user. For example, the action or state of the user may be detected, and the application execution request may be automatically transmitted to the sequence manager 100 based on the detection result.

(step S212)

The sequence manager 100 transmits an execution content declaration of the application program identified according to the application execution request to the device manager 200. The execution content declaration contains information for specifying a plurality of modules of the application program to be executed and information capable of specifying the facilities 2a to 2 d.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the declaration of the execution content in embodiment 1. Fig. 9 shows an execution content declaration 1300 of an application program defined by combining a plurality of modules for a washing machine shown in fig. 6A to 6O. The execution content declaration 1300 includes a plurality of modules 1301, device-related information 1302 necessary for executing each module 1301, and order information 1303 regarding the order in which each module 1301 is executed. The execution content declaration 1300 is an example of the washing information.

Further, the execution content declaration 1300 may not contain the information 1302 related to the device. In this case, the device manager 200 needs to search for a device capable of executing the module among the facilities indicated by the received facility information based on the information of the plurality of modules 1301 and perform device assignment.

In fig. 9, the device-related information 1302 indicates the model of the device 300, but is not limited to this. The device-related information 1302 may be any information as long as it can indicate the condition of the device 300 that can be assigned to the module. For example, the information 1302 on the device may include a plurality of models, or may include only the category, the purpose of use, the location of configuration, or any combination thereof of the device.

(step S214)

The device manager 200 assigns the device 300 associated with the device manager 200 to each module included in the execution content declaration 1300 based on the information that can specify the facilities 2a to 2 d. For example, the device manager 200 assigns a device DEV001 having a model WM-0001 registered in the device database 1200 of fig. 8 as being connected to the facility indicated by the received facility information to each of the plurality of modules 1301 illustrated in fig. 9. In addition, when the operation state of the device 300 or the connection state with the cloud is managed, allocation to the device 300 in operation may be prohibited.

Further, for example, when a plurality of modules shown in fig. 9 are not registered as having been connected to the facility indicated by the received facility information, that is, when there is no target device in the facility, the device manager 200 notifies the sequence manager 100 that the application having the execution content declaration formed thereon is not executable.

(step S215)

The device manager 200 notifies the device 300 of the result of the device assignment. Thereby, a plurality of modules included in the application program are respectively transmitted to the assigned devices 300.

(step S216)

The device 300 validates the module before executing it. That is, the apparatus 300 checks before executing a module whether a problem is generated in the apparatus 300 at the time of executing the module. For example, the device 300 checks for security and/or efficiency issues.

Then, the apparatus 300 changes the module based on the confirmation result. Thus, the module is modified to avoid problems.

Such pre-execution confirmation processing is described in more detail with reference to fig. 10. Fig. 10 shows a flowchart of the confirmation-before-execution process in embodiment 1.

(step S2165)

The device 300 obtains rules corresponding to the modules. The rule is a rule related to the sequence of washing. Whether the execution content declaration 1300 of executing the second module (second control information) subsequent to the first module (first control information) is permitted or not is specified in the rule. That is, whether the order of executing two modules consecutively executed within the plurality of modules 1301 specified in the content declaration 1300 is permitted or not is specified in the rule. For example, the apparatus 300 refers to the rule database to acquire a condition that the order of two modules executed consecutively is not allowed. The rule database may be included in the device 300, or may be included in the sequence manager 100 or the device manager 200, for example.

Next, the rules defined in the rule database 1400 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 11. Fig. 11 shows an example of the rule database in embodiment 1. A first rule 1401, a second rule 1402, a third rule 1403, a fourth rule 1404, and a fifth rule 1405 are registered in the rule database 1400 of fig. 11. Each of the first rule 1401, the second rule 1402, the third rule 1403, the fourth rule 1404, and the fifth rule 1405 specifies that the second module (second control information) is not permitted to be executed subsequent to the first module (first control information). That is, each of the first rule 1401, the second rule 1402, the third rule 1403, the fourth rule 1404, and the fifth rule 1405 is a rule relating to the order of washing.

In the first rule 1401, for example, the following is not allowed: the first module contains parameters related to the water supply to the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500, and the second module contains parameters for controlling the operation performed in the non-water environment. The first modules in this case are, for example,

modules

1010, 1020, 1050, 1060. The operation performed in the water-inhibited environment includes an operation that is not permitted to be performed when water is stored in the water tank 502. The water forbidden environment specifically refers to a case where the water level of the water tank 502 is a water level lower than a prescribed water level (for example, a lowest water level that the water level sensor can detect). That is, the case where water is stored in water tank 502 means a case where the water level of water tank 502 is equal to or higher than a predetermined water level. The second module is, for example,

module

1000, 1070, 1110, etc. The reason why the washing amount detecting operation of the module 1000 is performed in a water-prohibited environment is that it is difficult to detect the amount of laundry with high accuracy in a state where the laundry is immersed in water. The reason why the dehydration operation of the module 1070 is performed in a non-water environment is that it is difficult to efficiently perform dehydration in a state where laundry is immersed in water. The reason why the sterilization and antibacterial operations of the module 1110 are performed in a water-forbidden environment is that the performance of the functional substances cannot be sufficiently realized even if the air containing the functional substances such as the charged corpuscle water is discharged into the washing tub 503 in a state where the laundry is immersed in the water.

In the second rule 1402, for example, the following is not allowed: the first module contains parameters related to heating within the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500, and the second module contains parameters for controlling operation performed in a heat-inhibited environment. The first module in this case is, for example, module 1140. The first module in this case may be the

modules

1050 and 1060 that include parameters for driving the hot water heater 543 until the temperature of the washing water in the water tank 502 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined water temperature (for example, 60 degrees). The operation performed in the heat-inhibited environment includes an operation that is not permitted to be performed when the temperature in the water tank 502 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The heat-inhibited environment is specifically a case where the temperature of the space in water tank 502 is lower than a predetermined temperature or the temperature of the washing water in water tank 502 is lower than a predetermined water temperature. The second module is, for example, a module 1080 when the parameter 1081 indicates the drain valve 523, a module 1090 when the parameter 1091 indicates the door lock release, or the like. The draining action of the module 1080 is performed in a heat-inhibited environment to prevent the drain pipe from being deformed or broken by heat due to the high-temperature water flowing through the drain pipe outside the washing machine 500. The door lock release operation of the module 1090 is performed in a heat-inhibited environment to prevent a user from contacting a high-temperature laundry when the user opens the door 505 to take out the laundry in the washing tub 503.

In the third rule 1403, for example, the following is not allowed: the first module contains parameters related to the rotation of the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500 in which water is stored, and the second module contains parameters for controlling the operation performed in the deactivated environment. The first modules in this case are for

example modules

1050, 1060, 1070 etc. The operation performed in the inhibited environment includes an operation that does not allow the water surface in the water tank 502 (or the washing tank 503) to shake. The stop environment is specifically a case where the water tank 502 (or the washing tank 503) vibrates less than a predetermined amplitude (or a predetermined displacement) or is at rest. The second module is, for example,

modules

1010, 1020, etc. The module 1010 is operated in the forbidden environment because it is difficult to accurately detect the water level in a state where the water surface is sloshing.

Further, although not shown, for example, when the agitation operation is started in a module that performs the water supply operation while performing the agitation operation and the water supply operation is started after a predetermined time, a sub-module of the agitation operation may be regarded as a first module and a sub-module of the water supply operation may be regarded as a second module.

In the fourth rule 1404, for example, the following is not allowed: the first module contains parameters related to the supply of air into the water tank 502 (or the washing tank 503) of the washing machine 500, and the second module contains parameters for controlling the operation performed in the inhibited environment. The first modules in this case are, for example,

modules

1130, 1140, etc. The operation performed in the inhibited environment includes an operation that does not allow the water surface in the water tank 502 (or the washing tank 503) to shake. The inhibited environment is specifically a case where the water level in the water tank 502 (or the washing tank 503) vibrates less than a predetermined amplitude (or a predetermined displacement) or is at rest. The second module is, for example,

modules

In the fifth rule 1405, for example, the following is not allowed: the first module includes a parameter for rotating the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500 at a first rotation, and the second module includes a parameter for rotating the washing tub 503 at a second rotation different from the first rotation. Here, the first rotation and the second rotation may be different from each other in terms of rotation speed. That is, a first rotational speed of the first rotation may be different from a second rotational speed of the second rotation. The difference between the first rotation and the second rotation may mean that the directions of the rotations are different from each other. That is, the direction of the first rotation may be different from the direction of the second rotation.

The first modules in this case are, for example,

modules

1050, 1060, 1070, etc. The second module is, for example, a

module

1050, 1060, 1070, etc. that rotates differently than the first module.

In fig. 11, each of the first rule 1401, the second rule 1402, the third rule 1403, the fourth rule 1404, and the fifth rule 1405 specifies that the second module is not permitted to be executed subsequent to the first module. Even in this case, it can be defined that execution of a combination of the first module and the second module of a combination not specified as a rule is not permitted.

For example, there are cases where: the parameter change of the actuator 22 or the heater 23 can be safely driven according to the environment of the apparatus 300 such as the internal space of the housing 21, and the order of the allowed modules does not depend only on the performance of the actuator 22 or the heater 23 itself. Therefore, in order to safely drive under any environment, the specific gravity for safety is set in the order of higher to lower, and the development margin of various applications is reduced. Therefore, the rule may correspond to information of the device 300 or the like independently of the application. By using such rules, security and development of various applications can be compatible.

The rule is associated with a plurality of modules combined in an order that can safely drive the actuator 22 or the heater 23. The plurality of modules combined in the order in which safe driving is possible may be an order obtained in consideration of the start condition or the end condition of the modules. By executing the first module before the start condition of the second module is reached, it is possible to set the order in which the modules are executed assuming a situation in which a load that would affect the safety of the actuator 22 or the heater 23 is applied. That is, the order in which the modules are executed depends on the performance of the actuator 22 or heater 23, the start condition or end condition of the modules, and the like.

Each rule of the first rule 1401, the second rule 1402, the third rule 1403, the fourth rule 1404, and the fifth rule 1405 may further have a category, a manufacturer name, and an actuator/heater. Thus, the apparatus 300 can acquire the rule corresponding to the actuator 22 or the heater 23 driven by the module from the rule database 1400.

(step S2166)

The apparatus 300 determines whether execution of a second module subsequent to the first module is permitted. Here, when it is determined that the execution of the second module subsequent to the first module is not permitted (S2166: no), the apparatus 300 skips subsequent step S2167 and ends the pre-execution confirmation process. On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that execution of the second module subsequent to the first module is permitted (S2166: YES), the apparatus 300 proceeds to the next step S2167.

(step S2167)

The device 300 corrects the execution content declaration 1300 based on the rule of the rule database 1400, and ends the pre-execution confirmation process. The modification of the execution content declaration 1300 is, for example, to add a third module (third control information) to the execution content declaration 1300 as control information of the order of execution following the first module. The modification of the execution content declaration 1300 is, for example, modification of information on a parameter included in the first module or information on a parameter included in the second module in the execution content declaration 1300. The revision of the execution content declaration 1300 refers to, for example, restricting the execution of the second module. Alternatively, modifying the execution declaration 1300 may refer to any combination of adding the above-described modules, modifying the parameters, and restricting the execution of the second module.

A specific example of such correction of the execution content declaration 1300 will be described with reference to fig. 12 to 20.

Fig. 12 shows a first example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1. In fig. 12, the execution content declaration shows a case where a module 1070 for executing a dehydration operation as an operation executed in a water-forbidden environment follows the module 1010 for supplying water. Since this is not allowed in the first rule 1401, the control device 550 adds a module 1080 including a drainage operation of parameters relating to drainage from the water tank 502 as control information of the sequence executed subsequent to the module 1010. That is, even if it is set that the dewatering operation is performed after the water supply operation, the control device 550 adds the water discharge operation between the water supply operation and the dewatering operation. Therefore, the water tank 502 can be made a water-inhibited environment before the dehydration operation is started, and the dehydration can be efficiently performed.

In fig. 12, even if the module 1110 in which the sterilization and the antibacterial operations are set in place of the module 1070 for the dehydration operation is similar, a module 1080 for the drainage operation may be added between the

modules

1070 and 1110. This makes it possible to make the water tank 502 a water-inhibited environment before the start of the sterilization and antibacterial operations, and thus efficiently sterilize the laundry.

In fig. 12, in place of the module 1010 of the water supply operation, the module 1020 of the water supply operation, the module 1050 of the stirring operation including parameters of the water supply operation, and the module 1060 of the drum rotation operation are set, as in the above, and by adding the module 1080 of the water discharge operation immediately after these modules, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Fig. 13 shows a second example of the modification of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1. In fig. 13, the execution content statement shows a case where a module 1070 for performing a dehydration operation as an operation performed in a water-forbidden environment is executed after the module 1010 for performing a water supply operation, as in fig. 12. This is not allowed in the first rule 1401, and therefore the control device 550 may also newly generate the module 1070A by modifying the module 1070 in such a manner that a parameter 1073 related to the drainage from the water tank 502 is added immediately before the module 1070. The parameter 1073 is a parameter indicating that the drain valve 523 is controlled to be opened. Therefore, the water tank 502 can be made a water-inhibited environment before the dehydration operation is started, and the dehydration can be efficiently performed.

In fig. 13, even if the module 1110 in which the sterilization and antibacterial operations are set in place of the module 1070 for the dehydration operation is similar, the module 1110 may be modified so that the parameter 1073 is added immediately before the module 1110. This makes it possible to bring the water tank 502 into a water-inhibited environment before the start of the sterilization and antibacterial operations, and thus, the laundry can be effectively sterilized.

In fig. 13, in the case of the module 1020 in which the water filling operation is set instead of the module 1010 in the water supply operation, the module 1050 in which the stirring operation including the parameter of the water supply operation and the module 1060 in the drum rotation operation are performed, the same effect as described above can be obtained by adding the parameter 1073 to the module immediately after the modules so as to perform the water discharge immediately before the operation of the modules.

Fig. 14 shows a third example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1. In fig. 14, the case where the module 1000 of the washing amount detection operation as the operation performed under the water-prohibited environment is performed following the module 1010 of the water supply operation is shown in the execution content declaration. This is not allowed in the first rule 1401, so the control means 550 restricts the execution of the modules 1000 in the order executed subsequent to the module 1010. Specifically, the control device 550 deletes the module 1000 or skips the execution of the module 1000. When the modules are sequentially read and executed, the control device 550 may stop the operation after the execution of the module 1010 is completed, thereby restricting the execution of the module 1000. Therefore, the washing amount detection operation can be inhibited from being performed in an environment where it is difficult to detect the amount of laundry with high accuracy. Therefore, the power consumption consumed by the washing amount detection operation can be reduced.

Fig. 15 shows a fourth example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1. In fig. 15, the execution content declaration shows a case where a module 1090 for a door lock release operation, which is an operation performed in a heat-inhibited environment, is executed after the module 1140 for a drying operation. Since this is not allowed in second rule 1402, control device 550 adds a block 1130 of an air blowing operation including a parameter related to heat dissipation in washing tub 503 as control information of the sequence executed subsequent to block 1140. That is, even if it is set that the door lock release operation is executed subsequent to the drying operation, the control device 550 adds the air blowing operation between the drying operation and the door lock release operation. Therefore, the temperature in washing tub 503 can be lowered to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature before the door lock releasing operation is started, and the user can be prevented from being exposed to the high-temperature laundry. Further, instead of the module 1130 for adding the air blowing operation, a parameter for performing the air blowing operation may be added to the module 1090 for the door lock release operation so as to perform the air blowing operation immediately before the door lock release operation is performed, or a parameter for performing the air blowing operation may be added to the module 1140 for the drying operation so as to perform the air blowing operation immediately before the door lock release operation is performed.

Fig. 16 shows a fifth example of the modification of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1. In fig. 16, the execution content declaration shows a case where a module 1080 for executing a water discharge operation as an operation executed in a heat-inhibited environment is executed after a module 1050 for executing a stirring operation using high-temperature water at or above a predetermined water temperature. Since this is not allowed in the second rule 1402, the control device 550 adds a module 1150 for standby operation including parameters related to heat dissipation as control information of the procedure executed subsequent to the module 1050. In the standby operation by the module 1150, the control device 550 waits for the next module 1080 to be executed until a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes) elapses. That is, even if it is set that the water discharging operation is performed after the stirring operation with the high-temperature water, the control device 550 adds the standby operation between the stirring operation with the high-temperature water and the water discharging operation. Therefore, the temperature of the washing water in the water tank 502 can be lowered to be lower than the predetermined water temperature before the start of the water discharge operation, and the flow of the high-temperature water to the drain pipe outside the washing machine 500 can be suppressed. In addition, instead of the module 1150 for adding the standby operation, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the module 1080 for the drainage operation so as to perform the standby operation immediately before the drainage operation, and a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the module 1050 for the agitation operation so as to perform the standby operation immediately before the drainage operation. Further, the standby operation is exemplified as an example of the operation for radiating heat, but the standby operation is not limited to this, and heat radiation may be performed by performing the water discharge operation after the water supply operation.

Fig. 17 shows a sixth example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1. In fig. 17, the execution content declaration shows a case where the module 1010 for performing the water supply operation, which is an operation performed in the inhibited environment, is executed following the module 1050 for performing the stirring operation. Since this is not allowed in the third rule 1403, the control device 550 adds a module 1150 for standby operation, which includes a parameter relating to an operation to be standby without any operation for a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute), as control information of the sequence to be executed subsequent to the module 1050. That is, even if it is set that the water supply operation is executed after the agitation operation, the control device 550 adds the standby operation between the agitation operation and the water supply operation. Therefore, water tank 502 (or washing tank 503) can be vibrated or made to stand still with less than a predetermined amplitude (or a predetermined displacement) before the start of the water supply operation, and the sloshing of the water surface can be reduced. In addition, instead of the module 1150 for adding the standby operation, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the module 1010 for supplying water so as to perform the standby operation immediately before the water supplying operation, and a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the module 1050 for stirring operation so as to perform the standby operation immediately before the water supplying operation.

In fig. 17, a module 1150 for standby operation may be added between the module for stirring operation and the module for supplying water operation, similarly to the module 1120 for supplying water, the module 1050 for stirring operation including parameters for supplying water, and the module 1060 for drum rotation operation, which are set in place of the module 1010 for supplying water. This allows water tank 502 to be placed in a non-activated environment before the start of the water supply operation, and the water level of water tank 502 can be effectively detected during the water supply operation.

In fig. 17, in the case of a module in which a module 1060 for drum rotation operation is set in place of the module 1050 for stirring operation, the same effect as described above can be obtained by adding the module 1150 for standby operation immediately after the module.

Fig. 18 shows a seventh example of the modification of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1. In fig. 18, the execution content statement shows a case where the module 1010 for performing the water supply operation, which is an operation performed in the inhibited environment, is executed after the module 1130 for performing the air supply operation. Since this is not allowed in the fourth rule 1404, the control device 550 adds a module 1150 for standby operation, which includes a parameter relating to an operation to be standby without any operation for a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute), as control information of the sequence to be executed following the module 1130. That is, even if it is set that the water supply operation is executed subsequent to the air blowing operation, the control device 550 adds the standby operation between the air blowing operation and the water supply operation. Therefore, the sloshing of the water surface can be reduced before the water supply operation is started. In addition, instead of the module 1150 for adding the standby operation, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the module 1010 for supplying water so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the water supply operation, or a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the module 1130 for blowing air so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the water supply operation.

In fig. 18, similarly, even if a module 1120 for water filling operation, a module 1050 for stirring operation including parameters for water supply operation, or a module 1060 for drum rotation operation is set in place of the module 1010 for water supply operation, a module 1150 for standby operation may be added between the air blowing operation and the module including parameters for water supply operation. This makes it possible to set water tank 502 to a non-activated environment before the start of the water supply operation, and thus to effectively detect the water level of water tank 502 during the water supply operation.

Fig. 19 shows an eighth example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1. In fig. 19, the execution content declaration shows a case where a module 1050 of the stirring operation, which is an operation using rotation different from the rotation of the dehydration operation, is executed after the module 1070 of the dehydration operation. Since this is not allowed in the fifth rule 1405, the control device 550 adds a module 1150 for standby operation, which includes a parameter relating to an operation to be standby without any operation for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds), as control information of the sequence to be executed subsequent to the module 1070. That is, even if it is set that the stirring operation using the rotation different from the rotation of the dehydration operation is performed after the dehydration operation, the control device 550 adds the standby operation between the dehydration operation and the stirring operation. Therefore, washing tub 503 can be stopped before the start of the stirring operation, and the stirring operation can be easily switched to another rotation. In addition, instead of the module 1150 for adding the standby operation, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the module 1050 for stirring operation so as to perform the standby operation immediately before the stirring operation, and a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the module 1070 for dehydrating operation so as to perform the standby operation immediately before the stirring operation. Further, the two modules are not limited to be applied as a combination of the dehydration action and the agitation action. The present invention can be applied to a combination of both of the stirring operation, the drum rotating operation, and the dewatering operation, a combination of stirring operations in which different rotations are performed subsequent to the stirring operation, a combination of drum rotating operations in which different rotations are performed subsequent to the drum rotating operation, and a combination of dewatering operations in which different rotations are performed subsequent to the dewatering operation. Instead of adding the standby operation, an operation of braking the rotation of the washing tub 503 may be added to stop the rotation of the washing tub 503.

Fig. 20 shows a ninth example of the correction of the execution content declaration in embodiment 1. In fig. 20, the execution content declaration shows a case where the module 1050B of the module 1050 including the stirring operation using rotation different from the rotation of the dehydration operation is executed after the module 1070B of the module 1070 including the dehydration operation. The module 1070B further includes a parameter 1074 for performing standby immediately after the module 1070 of the dehydration operation. The module 1050B also includes a parameter 1057 for performing a standby operation immediately before the module 1050 for the stirring operation. In this manner, in the module 1050B set to the order executed subsequent to the module 1070B, the parameter 1057 and the parameter 1074 are repeated. In this case, the control device 550 deletes the duplicated parameter 1074. In addition, the control device 550 may delete the parameter 1057 instead of the deletion parameter 1074.

Here, the description returns to fig. 7.

(step S217)

The device 300 transmits the result of the pre-execution confirmation to the device manager 200. When a module is changed, the changed module may be transmitted to the device manager 200.

(step S218)

The device manager 200 replies the result of the device assignment to the sequence manager 100. In addition, when a module is changed at the time of confirmation before execution, an application program including the changed module may be transmitted to the sequence manager 100.

(step S220)

The sequence manager 100 accepts the allocation result notification from the device manager 200, and notifies the user of completion of execution preparation via the UI 400.

(step S222)

The UI 400 displays a list of devices that execute an application, and displays a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for accepting an input of application execution confirmation from a user. Further, UI 400 may receive a change in device assignment from the user. In addition, the UI 400 may not display a list of devices.

(step S224)

UI 400 accepts input of execution confirmation from the user, and transmits an application start instruction to device manager 200. Device manager 200 forwards an application start indication to sequence manager 100.

Further, steps S220, S222, and S224 provide information to the user again before the application is executed, but may be omitted since the job of the user may be increased.

Through the above actions, the application execution pre-stage F200 ends.

[1.3.3 application execution phase F300]

Next, the application execution stage F300 will be explained.

(step S310)

The sequence manager 100 receives an application start instruction, and selects a first module (first module) from a plurality of modules included in an application program. Then, the sequence manager 100 transmits an execution instruction of the selected first module to the device manager 200.

When a plurality of modules continuously operate, the sequence manager 100 may collectively transmit the execution instructions of the plurality of modules to the device manager 200.

The device manager 200 transmits an execution instruction of the first module to the device 300 assigned to the first module based on the execution instruction of the first module received from the sequence manager 100.

(step S312)

The device manager 200 accepts an instruction to execute the first module, and updates the schedule (scheduled use time) of each device.

(step S314)

The apparatus 300 accepts an instruction for execution of the first module and executes the first module.

(step S316)

The device 300 sends a completion notification to the device manager 200 when the execution of the first module is completed. Further, in the case where an error occurs during execution of the first module, the device 300 may also transmit error information to the device manager 200. In addition, the device 300 may also transmit event information to the device manager 200 during execution of the first module. As the event information, for example, an output value of a sensor, an operation of a device, or the like can be used, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The device manager 200 transfers the completion notification and/or various information received from the device 300 to the sequence manager 100.

(step S318)

The sequence manager 100 accepts the completion notification of the first module, updates the progress of the application, and selects the next module (second module). When receiving the error information, the sequence manager 100 executes processing (for example, return to the previous module, return to the first module, and wait) corresponding to the error information. Information of processing corresponding to the error information may be held in the sequence manager 100 in advance, or may be received from a user via the UI 400. In addition, when the sequence manager 100 receives the event information, it executes a process corresponding to the event information. For example, in the case where the event information includes the output value of the water level sensor, the sequence manager 100 updates the water level parameter indicating the water level included in the module being executed.

(step S320)

The sequence manager 100 transmits an execution instruction of the selected second module to the device manager 200.

The instruction to execute the second module may be an instruction to the same device as the instruction to execute the first module (S310), or may be an instruction to a different device.

Further, as for the instruction to execute the second module, the instructions to execute the plurality of modules may be collectively transmitted to the device manager 200 in the same manner as the instruction to execute the first module.

The subsequent processes are the same as those for the first block (S312 to S318), and therefore, illustration and description are omitted. The modules included in the application are executed sequentially, and if the execution of the last module is completed, the application execution phase F300 ends.

Here, the execution of the modules is sequentially indicated one by one, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the execution of a plurality of modules assigned to the same device may be collectively indicated. In this case, it may be checked in advance whether each module satisfies a parameter range for function execution, or a module corresponding to a change may be downloaded to the device side before execution. Further, for example, the module execution instruction may be given to each of the plurality of devices.

[1.4 Effect and the like ]

As described above, an environment in which various applications can be developed can be provided by an application including a module and a rule database, and the actuator 22 that performs physical movement or the heater 23 that outputs thermal energy can be safely driven for an application that is freely developed in the environment. In other words, an environment in which an application can be freely developed can be provided, and a function for ensuring security independently of the application can be provided. As a result, for example, it is possible to develop various applications with a high degree of freedom and a rule database for ensuring security in parallel, and it is possible to develop various applications at an early stage.

In addition, even after the application program is provided, the application program can be changed to an application program with further secured security by changing the rule database. In addition, when it is necessary to improve a situation that the manufacturer does not assume in advance, since the rule database is defined independently of the application program, it is possible to cope with all application programs by updating the rule database without changing the application programs themselves of a wider variety.

A corresponding method of maintaining the following rule database is also considered: error processing is performed by detecting a state when an application is executed without changing the application itself. However, this method of coping with the error state always means that a situation in which a load is applied to the home appliance is permitted or a situation in which safety cannot be secured. Therefore, by maintaining the rule database independently of the application and changing the content of the application with reference to the rule data, security can be ensured.

The washing machine 500 of the present embodiment is a washing machine 500 that can communicate with the cloud server 10 (external device). The washing machine 500 includes: a communication part 570 that receives an execution content declaration (washing information) from the cloud server 10; a washing function unit that performs an operation related to washing of laundry based on the washing information; and a control device 550 for controlling the washing function unit. The execution content declaration includes sequence information and a plurality of modules, wherein the plurality of modules are respectively control information related to parameters for controlling the operation of the washing function part, and the sequence information is information related to the sequence of executing the plurality of modules. Control device 550 corrects the execution content declaration based on a rule relating to the order of washing, and causes the washing function section to execute an operation based on the execution content declaration by executing control information included in the corrected execution content declaration.

Thus, the washing function unit can be driven based on the application program defined by the plurality of modules. Therefore, it is possible to develop an application using a module obtained by abstracting the control of the washing machine 500, and it is possible to develop various applications not only by the manufacturer but also by a third party, and to easily execute the applications by the washing machine 500. Further, the execution content declaration that is not permitted can be corrected before the washing function unit is driven based on the application program. Therefore, the washing function unit can be inhibited from executing the operation in the sequence which is not allowed. That is, even when the application developer erroneously instructs the washing function unit to execute the operation in the procedure that is not permitted, it is possible to suppress the application that cannot safely control the washing machine 500 from being executed. In addition, the washing machine 500 can be suppressed from operating inefficiently. Therefore, even when an application program suitable for a user is made more important than ensuring the safety of the washing function part, the application program developer can improve the safety of the washing machine 500 controlled by the application program. In addition, the operation efficiency of the washing machine 500 can be improved, and power consumption can be reduced.

For example, when the rule does not permit execution of a first module included in the content declaration and a second module set in the order information to the order of execution following the first module, the control device 550 may add a third module to the execution content declaration as control information of the order of execution following the first module.

Thus, when two modules that are continuously executed are not permitted, the third module can be added in the order between the two modules, and thus the washing function unit can be prevented from executing the operations of the two modules in the impermissible order.

For example, when the rule does not permit execution of a first module included in the content declaration and a second module set in the order information to be executed subsequent to the first module, the control device 550 may correct information on the parameter included in the first module or information on the parameter included in the second module.

Thus, when two modules that are continuously executed are not permitted, information on parameters included in any one of the two modules can be corrected, and therefore, the washing function unit can be prevented from executing operations of the two modules in the procedure that is not permitted.

For example, the control device 550 may restrict execution of the second module when the rule does not permit execution of the first module included in the content declaration and the second module set in the order information to be executed subsequent to the first module.

Thus, when two modules that are continuously executed are not permitted, the execution of the second module can be restricted, and therefore the washing function unit can be prevented from executing the operations of the two modules in the sequence that is not permitted.

For example, in the first rule, the following may not be allowed: the first module contains parameters related to the water supply to the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500, and the second module contains parameters for controlling the operation performed in the water-inhibited environment. For example, the operation performed in the water-inhibited environment may include an operation that is not permitted to be performed when water is stored in the water tank 502. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second module from being operated in a state where water is present in the water tank 502 and a sufficient effect cannot be obtained. This can suppress unnecessary operation and reduce power consumption.

In addition, for example, in the second rule, the following may not be allowed: the first module contains parameters related to heating within the sump 502 of the washing machine 500, and the second module contains parameters for controlling operation performed in a heat-inhibited environment. For example, the operation performed in the heat-inhibited environment may include an operation that is not permitted to be performed when the temperature in the water tank 502 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Therefore, since the operation can be suppressed when the temperature in water tank 502 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the adverse effect of the high-temperature environment in water tank 502 on the outside of washing machine 500 can be reduced, and safety can be ensured.

In addition, for example, in the third rule, the following may not be allowed: the first module contains parameters related to the rotation of the wash tank 503 in which water is stored, and the second module contains parameters for controlling the operation performed in the disabled environment. For example, the operation performed in the inhibited environment may include an operation that does not allow the water surface in the washing tub 503 to shake. Therefore, the operation of the second module can be controlled in a state where the sloshing of the water surface is reduced, and therefore, the operation of the second module can be effectively controlled.

In addition, for example, in the fourth rule, the following case may not be allowed: the first module contains parameters related to the supply of air into the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500, and the second module contains parameters for controlling the operation performed in the deactivated environment. Therefore, the operation of the second module can be controlled in a state where the sloshing of the water surface is reduced, and therefore, the operation of the second module can be effectively controlled.

In addition, for example, in the fifth rule, the following may not be allowed: the first module contains parameters for rotating the wash tank 503 of the washing machine 500 at a first rotation, and the second module contains parameters for rotating the wash tank 503 at a second rotation different from the first rotation. For example, the first rotational speed of the first rotation may be different from the second rotational speed of the second rotation. For example, the direction of the first rotation may be different from the direction of the second rotation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the operation of continuously performing different rotations, and to efficiently switch the rotation of the washing tub 503.

For example, when the first module includes a parameter related to water supply to the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second module includes a parameter for controlling operation performed in a water-out environment, the control device 550 may add a third module including a parameter related to water discharge from the water tank 502 to the execution content declaration as control information of the order of execution between the first module and the second module, based on the first rule. Therefore, the water tank 502 can be set to the water-inhibited environment by performing the water discharge before the start of the operation performed in the water-inhibited environment, and the operation of the second module can be efficiently performed.

For example, when the first module includes a parameter related to water supply to the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second module includes a parameter for controlling an operation performed in a water-inhibited environment, the control device 550 may modify the second module such that a parameter related to water discharge from the water tank 502 is added immediately before the parameter for controlling the operation performed in the water-inhibited environment based on the first rule. Therefore, the water tank 502 can be set to the water-inhibited environment by performing the water discharge before the start of the operation performed in the water-inhibited environment, and the operation of the second module can be efficiently performed.

For example, when the first module includes a parameter related to heating in water tank 502 of washing machine 500 and the second module includes a parameter for controlling operation performed in a heat-inhibited environment, controller 550 may add a third module including a parameter related to heat dissipation in water tank 502 to the execution content declaration as control information of the order of execution between the first module and the second module, based on the second rule. Therefore, the temperature of the water tank 502 can be lowered by heat dissipation before the operation performed in the heat-inhibited environment is started, and the heat-inhibited environment is obtained, and the operation of the second module can be performed efficiently.

For example, when the first module includes a parameter related to heating in water tank 502 of washing machine 500 and the second module includes a parameter for controlling operation performed in a heat-inhibited environment, control device 550 may modify the second module such that the parameter related to heat dissipation in water tank 502 is added immediately before the parameter for controlling operation performed in the heat-inhibited environment, based on the second rule. Therefore, the temperature of the water tank 502 can be lowered by heat dissipation before the operation performed in the heat-inhibited environment is started, and the heat-inhibited environment is obtained, and the operation of the second module can be performed efficiently.

For example, when a first module included in the execution content declaration overlaps with a second module set in the sequence information to be executed subsequent to the first module, the control device 550 may delete (i) the first module or the second module, or (ii) information on a parameter included in the first module or information on a parameter included in the second module, based on a rule. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of unnecessary operations to be performed by deleting a module or parameter of a repetitive operation. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced.

For example, in the device 20 of the present embodiment, the control unit 24 may change the application program by changing the parameter included in the first parameter range to the parameter included in the range in which the driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is permitted, with reference to the first rule.

Accordingly, since the parameter included in the first parameter range that is not permitted can be changed to the parameter included in the permitted range, for example, the developer of the application can freely develop the application while reducing the priority in consideration of the case where the actuator 22 and the heater 23 are safely driven, and the developer of the software to be embedded in the device 20 that controls the actuator 22 and the heater 23 can execute the module without checking the safety of the application one by one at a time, and can prevent the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 from being driven by the parameter that is not permitted.

For example, in the device 20 of the present embodiment, the control unit 24 may change the parameter included in the first parameter range to the parameter included in the range in which the driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is permitted, and add a new module to the plurality of modules to change the application program, with reference to the first rule.

This allows the parameter included in the first parameter range that is not permitted to be changed to the parameter included in the permitted range, and thus prevents the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 from being driven with the parameter that is not permitted. In addition, since a new module can be added, functions that are lowered by the change of the parameters can be complemented by the new module.

For example, in the device 20 of the present embodiment, the control unit 24 may delete a module having a parameter included in the first parameter range to change the application.

Thus, the module having the parameter included in the first parameter range that is not permitted can be deleted, and thus the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 can be prevented from being driven with the parameter that is not permitted. For example, when the actuator 22 and the heater 23 cannot originally execute the parameters specified by the application developer, the deletion can control the devices without causing confusion. On the other hand, the user may be notified that the deletion has been made.

For example, in the apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the control unit 24 may determine whether or not each of a plurality of parameters included in a plurality of modules is included in a first parameter range with reference to a first rule, and may change the module having the parameter when determining that the parameter is included in the first parameter range.

This makes it possible to more reliably change a module having a parameter included in the first parameter range that is not allowed.

For example, in the apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the application program may include information on the order in which each of the plurality of modules is executed and information on the timing at which each of the plurality of modules is executed. The information on the timing of each module indicates, for example, the time between the start timing of the module and the timing of the start or end of another module (e.g., the first module).

Thus, the application can include information on the order and timing, and can be executed after determining the order while confirming the parameter range of each module.

For example, in the device 20 of the present embodiment, the first parameter range may be a range of parameters for bringing at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 to the durable temperature.

This can suppress the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 from reaching the durable temperature when the application is executed, and can improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application.

For example, the device 20 of the present embodiment may include a housing 21 having an internal space, and the first parameter range may be a range of parameters for bringing the internal space to a durable temperature.

This can suppress the internal space of the casing 21 from reaching a durable temperature when the application is executed, and can improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application.

(modification of embodiment 1)

(modification 1)

In the modification of the execution content declaration 1300 (washing information), the control device 550 is not limited to the specific example described in embodiment 1, and may perform the processing described below.

Specifically, the controller 550 may correct the execution content declaration 1300 by classifying the plurality of modules 1301 included in the execution content declaration 1300 into one or more washing steps based on the classification rule, and then adding common information common to one or more first modules included in the first washing step to the first washing step among the one or more washing steps. The controller 550 classifies each of the plurality of modules 1301 into one or more washing steps. The one or more washing steps include, for example, a water supply step, a stirring step, a water discharge step, a dehydration step, a drying step, an air blowing step, a sterilization and antibacterial step, and an immersion step. One or more first modules included in the first washing process are consecutive in the order indicated by the order information included in the execution content declaration 1300. The common information includes detection information for the control device 550 to acquire the operation state during execution of one washing process from various sensors such as the vibration sensor 507, the water level sensor 515, the intake air sensor 531, the warm air sensor 535, the first foam sensor 541, the second foam sensor 542, and the warm water sensor 544.

A description will be given of a classification method for classifying each module into one or more washing steps by the control device 550 and a process of adding common information. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the classification rule in modification 1 of embodiment 1. Fig. 22 is a flowchart of the check-before-execution process in modification 1 of embodiment 1.

First, the control device 550 determines attributes of the plurality of modules 1301 using the classification rule 1410 (S2171). For each of the modules 1301, the control apparatus 550 may determine, as the attribute of the module, an attribute corresponding to the name of the module in the classification rule 1410. In the classification rule 1410, the names of the modules and the attributes are associated with each other as shown in fig. 21. The classification rule 1410 may include a no attribute as an attribute for classifying the washing process into one or more washing steps. That is, the control device 550 may determine the attribute of the module corresponding to the no attribute in the classification rule as the no attribute. In addition, the control device 550 may determine that a module is not attribute-free when the attribute corresponding to the module cannot be determined using the classification rule, that is, when there is no attribute matching the module in the classification rule.

Further, the control device 550 may also determine the attribute of the corresponding module based on an identifier previously given to the corresponding module using other classification rules. In other classification rules, identifiers of modules are associated with attributes.

In addition, the control device 550 may also determine the attribute of the corresponding module based on a combination of the kinds of one or more parameters included in the corresponding module using still another classification rule. In still another classification rule, a combination of types of one or more parameters included in a module is associated with an attribute. For example, in still another classification rule, a combination of a parameter related to water supply and a parameter related to rotation in one direction (i.e., left rotation or right rotation) of the washing tub after water storage is associated with an attribute indicating a water supply process. In still another classification rule, for example, a combination of a parameter relating to water supply and a parameter relating to rotation of the washing tub in two directions after water storage (i.e., left rotation and right rotation) is associated with an attribute indicating a stirring step.

Next, control device 550 classifies the plurality of modules into one or more washing steps based on the determined attributes (S2172). Specifically, the control device 550 classifies one or more modules having the same attribute and continuing in the order indicated by the order information into one washing step for each of the plurality of modules 1301. That is, when the plurality of modules having the first attribute are consecutive in the order indicated by the order information, the control device 550 classifies the plurality of consecutive modules having the first attribute as the first washing step corresponding to the first attribute.

In addition, when the module without the attribute is sandwiched by the modules with the first attribute in the order indicated by the order information, the control device 550 may classify the module without the attribute as the module with the first attribute and as the first washing step corresponding to the first attribute. In addition, when the module without the attribute is sandwiched between the module with the first attribute and the module with the second attribute in the order indicated by the order information, the control device 550 may classify the module without the attribute as the module with the first attribute into the first washing step corresponding to the first attribute, or may classify the module without the attribute into the second washing step corresponding to the second attribute. Here, whether the first washing step or the second washing step is to be classified may be determined in advance. The second attribute is a different attribute than the first attribute. The second washing step is a step different from the first washing step, and is a washing step subsequent to the first washing step.

After classifying each module into one or more washing steps, controller 550 may attempt to execute a process for correcting a plurality of modules included in each washing step using rules defined in rule database 1400 shown in fig. 11. The method of correcting the plurality of blocks is the same as that of embodiment 1. The control device 550 may attempt to execute a process for correcting a plurality of modules classified as the water supply process by applying the first rule 1401 to the plurality of modules classified as the water supply process, for example. Further, the control device 550 may attempt to execute processing for correcting the plurality of modules classified into the stirring step by applying the second rule 1402 to the plurality of modules classified into the stirring step, for example. The control device 550 may attempt to execute processing for correcting a plurality of modules classified as the water supply process or the agitation process by applying the third rule 1403 to the plurality of modules classified as the water supply process or the agitation process, for example. The control device 550 may attempt to execute processing for correcting the plurality of modules classified into the drying process by applying the fourth rule 1404 to the plurality of modules classified into the drying process, for example.

Further, the controller 550 may set a rule corresponding to each washing process as indicated by a first rule 1401 for correcting a plurality of modules included in the water supply process. That is, the control device 550 may correct the corresponding washing step for each washing step based on the correction rule for the corresponding washing step. Accordingly, the control device 550 can correct the plurality of modules included in the corresponding washing step by referring to only the correction rule for the corresponding washing step for each washing step, and thus, it is not necessary to refer to another correction rule, and the processing load can be reduced.

Next, the controller 550 adds common information to each washing step (S2173).

Fig. 23A to 23C show the modification of the execution content declaration in modification 1 of embodiment 1. Fig. 23A shows a case where the module 1000 for detecting the amount of washing, the module 1060 for rotating the drum, the module 1150 for generating the bubbles, the module 1050 for stirring, and the module 1010 for supplying water are sequentially executed in the execution content declaration. Control device 550 determines that the attribute of module 1000 of the washing amount detection operation is the washing amount determination process based on classification rule 1410, and determines that the attributes of module 1060 of the drum rotation operation, module 1150 of the bubble generation operation, module 1060 of the drum rotation operation, and module 1010 of the water supply operation are the water supply process. Further, the module 1050 for the stirring operation is either one of the water supply step and the stirring step based on the classification rule 1410, and the module 1050 for the stirring operation is sandwiched between the

modules

1150 and 1010 having the attribute of the water supply step, so the control device 550 regards the module 1050 for the stirring operation as having the attribute of the water supply step.

Then, as shown in fig. 23B, control device 550 classifies module 1000 of the washing amount detection operation as washing amount determination step 1500, and classifies module 1060 of the drum rotation operation, module 1150 of the bubble generation operation, module 1050 of the agitation operation, and module 1010 of the water supply operation as water supply step 1510.

Next, as shown in fig. 23C, the controller 550 adds, to the water supply step 1510, common information 1511 concerning control common to the module 1060 for drum rotation operation, the module 1150 for bubble generation operation, the module 1050 for agitation operation, and the module 1010 for water supply operation included in the water supply step 1510. The common information 1511 may include, in the water supply step 1510, detection information for measuring a time from the start of the water supply step 1510 until the water level of the water tank 502 detected by the water level sensor reaches a predetermined water level, or may include detection information for acquiring a variation (increase) per unit time of the water level of the water tank 502 detected by the water level sensor.

In water supply step 1510, controller 550 may determine whether or not the time from the start of water supply step 1510 to the time when the water level reaches a predetermined water level exceeds a predetermined time, and if it is determined that the time exceeds the predetermined time, stop water supply step 1510 and present an error on operation panel 560. In this case, control device 550 may notify the user's terminal of the occurrence of an error via communication unit 570. If it is determined in water supply step 1510 that the time from the start of water supply step 1510 to the time at which the water level reaches the predetermined water level does not exceed the predetermined time, controller 550 continues water supply step 1510.

Further, controller 550 may determine whether or not the amount of change per unit time (that is, the rate of change) of the water level of water tank 502 is within a predetermined rate range in water supply process 1510, and if it is determined that the rate of change is outside the predetermined rate range, stop water supply process 1510 and present an error on operation panel 560. In this case, control device 550 may notify the user's terminal of the occurrence of an error via communication unit 570. When it is determined in water supply step 1510 that the amount of change per unit time (that is, the rate of change) of the water level of water tank 502 is within the predetermined rate range, controller 550 continues water supply step 1510.

In washing machine 500 of the present modification, control device 550 corrects the washing information by (i) classifying the plurality of modules included in the execution content declaration (washing information) into one or more washing steps based on the classification rule, and (ii) adding, in a first washing step of the one or more washing steps, common information relating to control common to the one or more modules included in the first washing step. Then, the control device 550 executes the corrected execution content declaration to cause the washing function unit to execute the operation based on the execution content declaration. The one or more modules included in the first washing step are consecutive in the order indicated by the order information.

Therefore, the user only needs to specify a plurality of modules to be executed by the washing machine 500, and the control device 550 adds common information on control common to one or more modules included in the first washing step among the plurality of modules. Therefore, the washing function unit can be effectively controlled to be executed in parallel during the execution of the first washing step, and the user can efficiently operate the washing machine 500 without having expert knowledge.

(modification 2)

In the modification of the execution content declaration 1300 (washing information), the control device 550 is not limited to the specific example described in embodiment 1 and the modification 1 thereof, and may perform the processing described below.

Specifically, the control device 550 may classify the plurality of modules 1301 included in the execution content declaration 1300 into one or more washing steps based on the classification rule, and then add determination information for determining a washing step to be executed after the first washing step in accordance with whether or not the operation state during execution of the first washing step satisfies a predetermined condition to the first washing step among the one or more washing steps, thereby correcting the execution content declaration 1300. One or more washing steps are the same as in modification 1. Specifically, the decision information is one of the following: the washing machine is configured to perform a second washing step after a first washing step when the first washing step is completed while keeping an operation state satisfying a predetermined condition in the first washing step, and to stop the first washing step and perform a third washing step different from the second washing step when the operation state does not satisfy the predetermined condition in the first washing step. That is, the determination information is information for determining whether to continue the first washing step and to shift to the second washing step after the first washing step is completed or to shift to the third washing step after the first washing step is terminated, depending on the operation state of the control device 550. Further, the second washing process includes a module following the last module of the first washing process in the order indicated by the order information among the plurality of modules included in the execution contents declaration 1300. That is, the second washing process includes modules in a sequence subsequent to the first washing process.

The control device 550 acquires the operation state of the washing function unit during execution of the first washing step from various sensors and the like by executing the detection information. The controller 550 determines whether or not the acquired operating state satisfies a predetermined condition, and causes the washing function unit to execute the second washing step after the first washing step when the first washing step is completed with the operating state satisfying the predetermined condition. On the other hand, when the acquired operating state does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control device 550 stops the first washing step and causes the washing function unit to execute a third washing step different from the second washing step.

The detection information may be information for the control device 550 to successively acquire the operation state of the washing function unit during execution of the first washing step from various sensors and the like. That is, the control device 550 may acquire the operation state of the washing function unit during the first washing step from various sensors or the like by executing the detection information.

The processing of adding the determination information by the control device 550 will be described. Fig. 24 is a flowchart of the check-before-execution process in modification 2 of embodiment 1.

First, the control device 550 determines attributes of the plurality of modules 1301 using the classification rule 1410 (S2171).

Next, control device 550 classifies the plurality of modules into one or more washing steps based on the determined attributes (S2172).

Subsequently, control device 550 adds determination information to each washing step (S2173 a).

Fig. 25A to 25D show a first example of the correction of the execution content declaration in modification 2 of embodiment 1. In FIG. 25A, the case of module 1070 performing a dehydration action is shown in executing a content declaration. The control device 550 determines that the attribute of the module 1070 for the dehydration operation is the dehydration process based on the classification rule.

Then, the control device 550 classifies the module 1070 for the dehydration operation into the dehydration step 1520 as shown in fig. 25B.

Next, as shown in fig. 25C, control device 550 adds determination information 1521 to dehydration step 1520, where determination information 1521 is information for determining a washing step to be executed by the washing function unit subsequent to the dehydration step, based on whether or not the operation state during execution of dehydration step 1520 satisfies a predetermined condition. The determination information 1521 is information indicating, for example, the following cases: if the unevenness of the fabric is not detected while the dewatering process 1520 is being performed, the dewatering process 1520 is continued, and if the unevenness of the fabric is detected, the dewatering process is stopped and the process proceeds to the rinsing process. Further, the control device 550 may sequentially acquire the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 from the vibration sensor 507, and detect the unevenness of the fabric based on the fact that the acquired magnitude of the vibration exceeds the second threshold value. The magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 is an example of the operation state. The predetermined condition is an example where the magnitude of the vibration is equal to or smaller than the second threshold.

Therefore, when the execution content of the control device 550 after the correction is executed and the unevenness of the fabric is detected while the dewatering process 1520 is being executed, that is, when the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 exceeds the second threshold value, the control device 550 may terminate the dewatering process 1520 based on the determination information 1521 and move to the rinsing process 1530 as shown in fig. 25D. The rinsing step 1530 is an example of a third washing step different from the second washing step.

The rinsing process 1530 may include determination information indicating that the spin-drying process 1520 is to be executed again after the rinsing process 1530. Accordingly, the controller 550 performs the spin-drying process 1520 again after the rinsing process 1530 is finished. In this manner, when the control device 550 detects the unevenness of the fabric, the dewatering process 1520 is stopped and the rinsing process 1530 is executed, so that the unevenness of the fabric can be eliminated before the dewatering process 1520.

Further, similarly to the first performed dehydration step 1520, determination information 1521 is added to the second performed dehydration step 1520. Accordingly, the control device 550 performs control of adding the rinsing process 1530 in the middle until the dewatering process 1520 does not detect unevenness of the fabric and ends.

On the other hand, when the unevenness of the fabric is not detected during the execution of the spin-drying step 1520, that is, when the spin-drying step is completed while the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 is kept at the second threshold value or less, the control device 550 causes the washing function section to execute a predetermined second washing step after the spin-drying step. The second washing process is a washing process including a module which is scheduled to be performed after the module 1070 of the dehydrating operation in the content declaration. If the second washing step is not present, the controller 550 may end the washing control.

Note that, although not shown, the control device 550 may add common information to the dehydration step 1520 in the same manner as in modification 1 after classifying the module 1070 for dehydration into the dehydration step 1520. The common information may include detection information for detecting the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 in the dehydration step 1520.

Fig. 26A to 26D show a second example of performing content declaration correction in modification 2 of embodiment 1. In fig. 26A, the case of the module 1070a for performing the pre-dehydration action, the module 1070 for the dehydration action, and the module 1140 for the drying action is shown in the execution content declaration. The module 1070a of the pre-dehydration operation includes the same parameters as those of the module 1070 of the dehydration operation, but has different values. Therefore, in the classification of the washing process, the module 1070a of the preliminary dehydration operation is processed in the same manner as the module 1070 of the dehydration operation. The control device 550 determines that the attribute of the module 1070a for the pre-dehydration and the module 1070 for the dehydration is the dehydration process and determines that the module 1140 for the drying is the drying process based on the classification rule.

Then, as shown in fig. 26B, control device 550 classifies module 1070a for the preliminary dehydration operation and module 1070 for the dehydration operation as dehydration step 1522, and classifies module 1140 for the drying step as drying step 1540.

Next, as shown in fig. 26C, control device 550 adds determination information 1523 to spin-drying step 1522, where determination information 1523 is information for determining a washing step to be executed after the spin-drying step by making the washing function portion execute the washing step, based on whether or not the operating state during execution of spin-drying step 1522 satisfies a predetermined condition. The determination information 1523 is, for example, information indicating that the dewatering process is stopped and the process is shifted to the rinsing process when the unevenness of the web is detected while the pre-dewatering operation in the dewatering process 1522 is being performed, and that the dewatering process is stopped and the process is shifted to the re-dewatering process when the unevenness of the web is detected while the dewatering operation is being performed. Further, the determination information 1523 is information indicating that the dewatering process 1522 is continued when no unevenness of the web is detected in the dewatering process 1522.

Therefore, when the control device 550 executes the corrected execution content statement and detects unevenness of the fabric while the pre-dewatering operation of the dewatering process 1522 is being performed, that is, when the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 exceeds the second threshold value, the control device 550 may stop the dewatering process 1522 based on the determination information 1523 and shift to the rinsing process. Further, when the unevenness of the web is detected while the dewatering operation of the dewatering step 1522 is being performed, that is, when the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 exceeds the second threshold value, the control device 550 may terminate the dewatering step 1522 based on the determination information 1523 and shift to the dewatering step 1524 as shown in fig. 26D. The dewatering step 1524 is an example of a third washing step different from the second washing step.

Note that the dehydration step 1524 may include determination information 1525 indicating that the drying step 1540 is to be executed again after the dehydration step 1524. The determination information 1525 may indicate that the dewatering process 1524 is stopped and the re-dewatering process is performed when the unevenness of the web is detected, or may indicate that the dewatering process 1524 is stopped and the rinsing process is performed when the unevenness of the web is detected. Thus, when the dewatering step 1524 is completed without detecting unevenness in the fabric, control device 550 performs drying step 1540.

Further, determination information 1541 may be added to the drying step 1540. The determination information 1541 is, for example, information indicating that the dehydration process 1520 is continued when clogging of the filter is not detected during execution of the drying process 1540, and the drying process 1540 is suspended and the process proceeds to the presentation process for displaying an error when clogging of the filter is detected. In this case, the control device 550 may sequentially acquire the current value of the fan motor from a current sensor provided in the fan motor of the circulation fan 534, and detect clogging of the filter in response to the acquired current value exceeding the first threshold value. The first threshold may be calculated by adding or subtracting a predetermined difference to or from the current value at the start of the drying step 1540, and may be a predetermined fixed value. The current value of the fan motor detected by the current sensor is an example of the operation state. The current value is equal to or less than the first threshold value, which is an example of the predetermined condition.

Here, the determination information 1541 is not limited to the case where the drying process 1540 is suspended and the process proceeds to the presentation process for displaying an error when clogging of the filter is detected, but may be the case where the drying process 1540 is continued without being suspended and the process proceeds to the presentation process after the drying process 1540 is completed or after the washing process subsequent to the drying process 1540 is completed.

Further, the determination information 1541 may be information as follows: the controller 550 determines whether or not the difference between the moving average of the detection value of the warm air sensor 535 in a predetermined period based on the current time and the detection value of the warm air sensor 535 at the start of the drying process 1540 is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and if the difference is equal to or greater than the third threshold, the controller 550 determines to end the drying process 1540, and if the difference is not equal to or greater than the third threshold, the controller 550 determines to continue the drying process 1540.

On the other hand, when the unevenness of the fabric is not detected while the dewatering step 1522 is being executed, that is, when the dewatering step is completed in a state where the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 is kept at or below the second threshold value, the control device 550 causes the washing function portion to execute a predetermined drying step 1540 subsequent to the dewatering step.

Further, although not shown, the control device 550 may add common information to the dewatering process 1522 in the same manner as the first example in modification 1 after classifying the module 1070a for the preliminary dewatering operation and the module 1070 for the dewatering operation into the dewatering process 1522. The common information may include detection information for detecting the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 in the dehydration step 1520.

In washing machine 500 according to the present modification, common information includes detection information for control device 550 to acquire an operation state during execution of the first washing step from various sensors and the like. The control device 550 acquires the operation state during the first washing step from various sensors and the like by executing the detection information. When the first washing step is completed with the acquired operation state satisfying the predetermined condition, controller 550 causes the washing function unit to execute the second washing step after the first washing step. When the acquired operating state does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the controller 550 stops the first washing step and causes the washing function unit to execute a third washing step different from the second washing step.

In this way, the control device 550 determines whether to continue the first washing step or to stop the first washing step and shift to the third washing step based on the acquired operation state, and thus the washing function unit can execute the washing step according to the operation state.

For example, the second washing step includes a second module following one or more first modules in the order indicated by the order information among the plurality of modules. Therefore, when the first washing step is continued and the first washing step is completed, the control device 550 can cause the washing function unit to execute the second washing step including the second module following the one or more first modules included in the first washing step.

The detection information is, for example, information for the control device 550 to successively acquire the operation state during execution of the first washing step from various sensors and the like. The control device 550 executes the detection information to sequentially acquire the operation state during the first washing step from various sensors and the like. Therefore, the control device 550 determines whether to continue the first washing step or to stop the first washing step and shift to the third washing step based on the sequentially acquired operation states, and thus can cause the washing function portion to execute the washing step according to the operation state at that time.

(modification 3)

In the modification of the execution content declaration 1300 (washing information), the control device 550 may perform the processing described below, not limited to the specific example described in embodiment 1 and the modification 2 thereof.

As described in modification 2 of embodiment 1, the control device 550 may add determination information for determining whether to continue the washing function unit to the first washing step and then execute the next second washing step, or to terminate the first washing step and execute the third washing step to the washing function unit, in the first washing step, using the result of the operation state acquired in the first washing step by executing the common information described in modification 1 of embodiment 1. That is, modification 1 and modification 2 of embodiment 1 may be combined.

For example, as in the specific example of fig. 23A to 23C, control device 550 may further add determination information (not shown) for determining whether to continue water supply process 1510 or to stop water supply process 1510 and shift to a presentation process for displaying an error, based on whether or not the operating state obtained by executing common information 1511 satisfies a predetermined condition, in addition to common information 1511 in water supply process 1510.

The common information 1511 may include detection information indicating a time period from the start of the water supply process until the water level reaches a predetermined water level. The common information 1511 may include time counting information for causing a time counting unit, not shown, to measure an elapsed time from the start of the water supply process and for causing the operation panel 560 to display time information on the elapsed time measured by the time counting unit. The timer unit may be a functional unit included in the control device 550 or may be a functional unit different from the control device 550.

In water supply step 1510, controller 550 may determine whether or not a time from the start of water supply step 1510 to the time when the water level reaches a predetermined water level exceeds a predetermined time, and if it is determined that the time exceeds the predetermined time, may terminate water supply step 1510 and execute a presentation step of presenting an error on operation panel 560. The predetermined condition in this case is that the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 to the time at which the water level reaches the predetermined water level is less than the predetermined time. In this case, control device 550 may notify the user's terminal of the occurrence of an error via communication unit 570. If it is determined in water supply step 1510 that the time from the start of water supply step 1510 to the time at which the water level reaches the predetermined water level does not exceed the predetermined time, controller 550 continues water supply step 1510.

Further, in water supply step 1510, controller 550 may determine whether or not the increase amount (i.e., the increase rate) per unit time of the water level of water tank 502 is within a predetermined rate range, and if it is determined that the change rate is outside the predetermined rate range, may stop water supply step 1510 and perform a presentation step of presenting the occurrence of an error on operation panel 560. The predetermined condition in this case is that the rate of change of the water level of the water tank 502 is within a predetermined range. In this case, control device 550 may notify the user's terminal of the occurrence of an error via communication unit 570. When it is determined in water supply step 1510 that the increase amount per unit time (i.e., the acceleration rate) of the water level of water tank 502 is within the predetermined speed range, controller 550 continues water supply step 1510.

As described above, controller 550 may acquire speed information regarding the rate of change of the water level of water tank 502 in water supply step 1510, and may add determination information for determining whether the speed information is included in the range of the predetermined speed information in water supply step 1510. Control device 550 acquires speed information on the rate of change of the water level of water tank 502 in water supply step 1510, determines whether or not the speed information is included in the range of the predetermined speed information, and causes the washing function unit to execute a predetermined washing step after water supply step 1510 if water supply step 1510 is completed with the speed information included in the range of the predetermined speed information. On the other hand, if the acquired speed information is not included in the range of the predetermined speed information, controller 550 stops water supply process 1510 and causes the washing function unit to execute the presentation process.

Further, the control device 550 may cause the operation panel 560 to display the elapsed time from the start of the water supply process 1510 by executing the common information 1511. The elapsed time may be represented by a time counted from the start of water supply step 1510, or may be represented by a countdown time obtained by subtracting the counted time from the time required for water supply step 1510.

The control device 550 may apply the same process to the water discharge process, not just the water supply process. The controller 550 may determine whether or not a time from the start of the draining step to the time when the water level reaches the predetermined water level exceeds a predetermined time in the draining step, and if it is determined that the time exceeds the predetermined time, terminate the draining step, and execute a presenting step of presenting an error occurrence on the operation panel 560. The predetermined water level may be, for example, a water level at which water is not present in the water tank 502. The predetermined condition in this case is that the time from the start of the water discharge step to the time at which the water level reaches the predetermined water level is less than a predetermined time. In this case, control device 550 may notify the user's terminal of the occurrence of an error via communication unit 570. If the controller 550 determines in the water discharge step that the time from the start of the water discharge step to the time when the water level reaches the predetermined water level does not exceed the predetermined time, the water discharge step is continued.

Further, the controller 550 may determine whether or not the amount of decrease per unit time (that is, the rate of decrease) in the water level of the water tank 502 is within a predetermined speed range in the draining step, and if it is determined that the rate of change is outside the predetermined speed range, the draining step may be stopped, and the presenting step of presenting the error occurrence on the operation panel 560 may be executed. The predetermined condition in this case is that the rate of change of the water level of water tank 502 is within a predetermined range. In this case, control device 550 may notify the user's terminal of the occurrence of an error via communication unit 570. When the controller 550 determines that the amount of decrease per unit time (that is, the rate of decrease) in the water level of the water tank 502 is within the predetermined rate range in the water discharge step, the water discharge step is continued.

As described above, the controller 550 may acquire the speed information on the rate of change of the water level of the water tank 502 in the draining step, and may add determination information for determining whether the speed information is included in the range of the predetermined speed information in the draining step. The controller 550 acquires speed information on the rate of change of the water level of the water tank 502 during the water discharge step, determines whether the speed information is included in the range of the predetermined speed information, and causes the washing function unit to execute a predetermined washing step after the water discharge step when the water discharge step is completed with the speed information included in the range of the predetermined speed information. On the other hand, when the acquired speed information is not included in the range of the predetermined speed information, the control device 550 stops the draining process and causes the washing function unit to execute the presenting process.

In addition, the controller 550 may add common information including detection information for detecting the generation state of the bubbles in the water tank 502 in the water supply step or the stirring step. Further, control device 550 may sequentially acquire the generation status of bubbles in water tank 502 as an operation state, and may add determination information for determining a washing step to be executed after the first washing step in the washing function unit based on the acquired generation status of bubbles in the water supply step or the agitation step. Specifically, the determination information in this case indicates the following case: when the water supply step or the agitation step is finished, the washing function unit is caused to execute a predetermined washing step after the water supply step or the agitation step. In addition, the determination information indicates the following case: when the foam is detected in the water supply step or the stirring step, the water supply step or the stirring step is stopped and the washing function unit performs the defoaming step. The defoaming step is, for example, a step of sequentially performing a water discharge operation, a stirring operation, a water supply operation, and a water discharge operation.

Therefore, by executing the determination information, the control device 550 causes the washing function portion to execute a predetermined washing step subsequent to the water supply step or the agitation step when the water supply step or the agitation step is completed with the state of generation of the acquired foam indicating that generation of foam is not detected. Further, by executing the determination information, when the acquired foam generation status indicates that the foam generation is detected, the control device 550 stops the water supply step or the agitation step and causes the washing function unit to execute the defoaming step.

(modification 4)

In embodiment 1 described above, the process of the system 1 is described with reference to fig. 7, but the flow of the process is not limited to this. In particular, the timing of performing the pre-execution confirmation and the module serving as the main body are not limited to the above-described pre-execution confirmation (S216). Therefore, several modifications of the sequence diagram of the system 1 will be specifically described with reference to fig. 27A to 27E.

Fig. 27A is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in modification 4 of embodiment 1. In fig. 27A, immediately before the device 300 receives the execution instruction (S310) and executes the module (S314), the device 300 performs pre-execution confirmation (S216).

Thus, the software embedded in the device 300 can be configured to have a simple structure in which the check before execution is performed immediately before the module is executed. That is, steps S215 and S217 can be omitted. As a result, it is not necessary to embed a function and a communication API for performing these processes in the device 300, and it is possible to reduce the memory used in the microcomputer mounted in the device 300.

Further, the device manager 200 and/or the UI 400 may also be notified of the result of the pre-execution confirmation. For example, when a parameter change or a module execution stop instruction is issued as a result of the check before execution, the check result may be notified to device manager 200 or UI 400.

(modification 5)

Fig. 27B is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in modification 5 of embodiment 1. In fig. 27B, when the device manager 200 notifies the allocation result (S218), the device manager 200 confirms before execution as it is (S216).

Thus, the software embedded in the device 300 may not include the function of checking before execution (S216). Therefore, the use of the memory of the device 300 can be suppressed, resulting in a cost reduction of the device 300.

In addition, in embodiment 1 described above, the flow of processing performed in accordance with an instruction from the sequence manager 100 installed in the cloud server 10 has been described with respect to the module execution (S314) performed by the device 300, but the mode of performing the module execution (S314) is not limited thereto.

For example, the notification content from the sequence manager 100 may be stored in a memory in the device 300, and the module may be executed in response to an instruction directly given by the user via the UI included in the apparatus 20 or the UI 400 included in the terminal 30. That is, the following method may be adopted: the application program is downloaded into the device in advance, and the user executes the application program at an arbitrary timing.

(modification 6)

Fig. 27C is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in modification 6 of embodiment 1. In fig. 27C, in the application execution phase F300, one or more modules executed by the apparatus 300 are notified from the sequence manager 100 to the apparatus 300 (S310C). Then, the device 300 saves the notified one or more modules in the memory (S311C).

Thereafter, the device 300 receives an instruction from the user to execute the stored one or more modules (S312C), and executes the one or more modules in order from the first module (S314).

As described above, since the modules are stored in the device 300, the device 300 can be controlled without communication with the device 300 via the device manager 200, and therefore, the risk of the operation of the device 300 being stopped or delayed due to communication between the cloud server 10 and the apparatus 20 becoming unstable can be reduced. Therefore, the present modification is more effective in an environment where the reliability of communication with the cloud server 10 is low and/or in the device 300 in which the stop or delay of the operation of the device during the execution of the application is not allowed.

Note that, in modification 6 as well, as in embodiment 1, the pre-execution confirmation (S216) has an important meaning, but the timing at which the pre-execution confirmation (S216) is performed and the module that is the main body is not limited to fig. 27C. That is, modification 6 may be combined with modification 4 or modification 5.

(modification 7)

Fig. 27D is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in modification example 7 of embodiment 1. Modification 7 corresponds to a combination of modification 4 and modification 6. In modification 7, as shown in fig. 27D, immediately before the device 300 receives the execution instruction (S312C) and executes the module (S314), the device 300 performs a pre-execution confirmation (S216).

When a module is downloaded to the device 300 in advance and the user executes the module at an arbitrary timing, there is a high possibility that the timing of downloading the module and the timing of executing the module are greatly deviated. That is, consider the case where a module is executed days, months, or years after it is downloaded into the device 300. In this case, the degradation level or the like of the device 300 may change from the time the module is downloaded to the time the module is executed. Therefore, in the apparatus 300 in which the execution of the module is affected by the degradation level, by performing the pre-execution confirmation by the apparatus 300 immediately before the module is executed, the pre-execution confirmation according to the degradation level can be performed.

(modification 8)

Fig. 27E is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in modification 8 of embodiment 1. Modification 8 corresponds to a combination of modification 5 and modification 63. In modification 8, as shown in fig. 27E, when the device manager 200 notifies the assignment result (S218), the device manager 200 confirms before execution as it is (S216).

(embodiment mode 2)

Next, embodiment 2 will be explained. The present embodiment is mainly different from embodiment 1 in that, when application authentication is completed, pre-execution confirmation is skipped. The present embodiment will be described below mainly focusing on differences from embodiment 1.

Note that the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the system 1 in the present embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 1 described above, and therefore, illustration and description thereof are omitted.

[2.1 treatment ]

This embodiment is the same as embodiment 1 except that step S216 of the pre-execution confirmation in embodiment 1 is replaced with step S216A. Thus, step S216A of performing the pre-confirmation process will be described with reference to fig. 28.

(step S2161A)

The device 300 acquires application authentication information. The application authentication information includes information indicating that authentication is completed when the application authentication is completed.

The authentication of the application is a mechanism for ensuring the quality of the application, for example, and can confirm the security and/or identity (without being tampered) of the application. An example of an application to which authentication information is given will be described. When the change history of the code of the application indicates that the parameter range has not been changed, information indicating that authentication has been completed is associated with the application.

(step S2162A)

The apparatus 300 determines whether the application is authenticated based on the acquired application information. If it is determined that the application authentication is completed (yes in S2162A), the device 300 skips the subsequent steps S2165 to S2167 and terminates the pre-execution confirmation process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the application is not authenticated (S2162A: NO), the apparatus 300 proceeds to the next step S2165.

[2.2 Effect and the like ]

As described above, the apparatus 20 of the present embodiment includes: at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23; and a control unit 24 that controls at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, wherein the control unit 24 acquires an application program that is defined by a plurality of modules for driving at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 and that includes information indicating whether authentication is completed, each of the plurality of modules having a parameter for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23, and when the application program does not include the information indicating that authentication is completed, the control unit changes the application program by changing at least one of the plurality of modules with reference to a first rule that defines a first parameter range in which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not permitted, at least one of the plurality of modules having a parameter included in the first parameter range, and drives the at least one actuator 22 based on the changed application program.

Thereby, the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 can be driven based on the application program defined by the plurality of modules. Therefore, an application using a module obtained by abstracting the control of the device 20 can be developed, and various applications developed in this way can be easily executed by the device 20. Also, a module having a parameter included in the first parameter range that is not allowed can be changed before the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven based on the application. Thus, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven with the parameter that is not allowed. That is, it is possible to suppress the application program that cannot safely control the device 20 from being executed, and to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application program. Further, the processing accompanying the change of the application can be performed when the authentication of the application is not completed, and the processing load can be reduced when the authentication of the application is completed. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform determination processing for the parameter range for all the applications, and management is performed by authentication, so that the processing load can be reduced, and a design criterion for the parameter range can be obtained, and thus design can be more easily and safely performed for the application developer.

For example, when the device 20 of the present embodiment has information indicating that the application has been authenticated, the application may not be changed without referring to the first rule.

Thus, when the application authentication is completed, the process for changing the module can be skipped, and the processing load can be reduced.

(embodiment mode 3)

Next, embodiment 3 will be explained. The present embodiment is mainly different from embodiment 1 in that the pre-execution confirmation is skipped when the creator of the application is the same as the creator of the device. The present embodiment will be described below mainly focusing on differences from embodiment 1.

Note that the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the system 1 in the present embodiment are the same as those of the above embodiment 1, and therefore, illustration and description are omitted.

[3.1 treatment ]

This embodiment is the same as embodiment 1 except that step S216 of the pre-execution confirmation in embodiment 1 is replaced with step S216B. Thus, step S216B of executing the pre-confirmation processing will be described with reference to fig. 29.

(step S2161B)

The device 300 obtains application creator information. The application creator information indicates a creator of the application program. A producer refers to a company, an individual, a group, or the like that creates an application, and is also sometimes referred to as a developer or a writer.

(step S2163B)

The device 300 acquires device producer information. The device maker information indicates a maker of the device. The producer refers to a company, an individual, a group, or the like that produces the apparatus 300 (i.e., the device 20), and may also be referred to as a manufacturer.

(step S2164B)

Device 300 determines whether the creator of the application is different from the producer of device 300. In the case where the creator of the application is an individual and the maker of the apparatus 300 is a company, if the company to which the creator of the application belongs coincides with the maker of the apparatus 300, the apparatus 300 may determine that the creator of the application is the same as the maker of the apparatus 300. Further, if the creator of the application is a development requester of the creator of the device 300, the device 300 may determine that the creator of the application is the same as the creator of the device 300.

Here, when the creator of the application is the same as the creator of the apparatus 300 (S2164B: no), the apparatus 300 skips the subsequent steps S2165 to S2167 and ends execution of the pre-confirmation process. On the other hand, in the case where the creator of the application is different from the maker of the apparatus 300 (S2164B: YES), the apparatus 300 proceeds to the next step S2165.

[3.2 Effect and the like ]

As described above, the apparatus 20 of the present embodiment includes: at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23; and a control unit 24 that controls at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, wherein the control unit 24 acquires an application program that is defined by a plurality of modules for driving at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 and includes information indicating a creator, each of the plurality of modules has a parameter for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23, acquires information indicating a creator of the apparatus 20, and changes the application program by changing at least one of the plurality of modules with reference to a first rule defining a first parameter range in which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not permitted, when the creator of the application program is different from the creator of the apparatus 20, the at least one of the plurality of modules has a parameter included in the first parameter range, and drives at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 based on the changed application program.

Thus, the actuator and/or the heater can be driven based on the application program defined by the plurality of modules. Therefore, an application using a module obtained by abstracting the control of the device 20 can be developed, and various applications developed in this way can be easily executed by the device 20. Also, a module having a parameter included in the first parameter range that is not allowed can be changed before the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven based on the application. Thus, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven with the parameter that is not allowed. That is, it is possible to suppress the application program that cannot safely control the device 20 from being executed, and to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application program. Further, when the creator of the application is different from the manufacturer of the apparatus 20, the processing accompanying the change of the application can be performed, and when the creator of the application is the same as the manufacturer of the apparatus 20, the processing load can be reduced.

(embodiment mode 4)

Next, embodiment 4 will be explained. The present embodiment is mainly different from embodiment 1 in that the check before execution is performed using a rule corresponding to the degradation level of the device. The present embodiment will be described below mainly focusing on differences from embodiment 1.

[4.1 treatment ]

This embodiment is the same as embodiment 1 except that step S216 of the pre-execution confirmation in embodiment 1 is replaced with step S216C. Thus, step S216C of performing the pre-confirmation process will be described with reference to fig. 30.

(step S2163C)

The device 300 acquires device degradation information. The device degradation information indicates the degradation level of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 included in the apparatus 20. The method of detecting the degradation level is not particularly limited, and for example, the degradation level may be detected by a sensor.

(step S2165C)

The apparatus 300 acquires a rule corresponding to the degradation level. For example, the apparatus 300 refers to the rule database to acquire the parameter range corresponding to the degradation level of the actuator 22 or the heater 23 driven by the module.

Fig. 31 shows an example of the rule database according to embodiment 4. Rules 1401C to 1404C are registered in the rule database 1400C of fig. 31. Each of the rules 1401C to 1404C has a parameter range for defining a non-allowable range. For example, the rule 1401C has a range larger than 1000rpm as a non-allowable range for the motor MM0001 whose degradation level is 0. For example, the rule 1402C has a range larger than 800rpm as a non-allowable range for the motor MM0001 whose degradation level is 1. That is, the rule 1402C has a wider non-allowable range and a narrower allowable range than the rule 1401C.

Each of the rules 1401C to 1404C also has a category, a manufacturer name, an actuator/heater, and a degradation level. Thereby, the apparatus 300 can acquire the rule corresponding to the degradation level of the actuator 22 or the heater 23 driven by the module from the rule database 1400C. For example, when the degradation level of the motor MM0001 driven by the module for the dehydration operation is 0, the apparatus 300 acquires the rule 1401C with reference to the rule database 1400C of fig. 31 because it is the dehydration module.

Further, the items that decide the deterioration level are, for example, the number of uses, the use time, or the number of days of use from the start of operation to the present of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 included in the apparatus 300. It is assumed that these items increase in roughly proportional relation to the user's usage. Therefore, the rule is determined so that the degradation level becomes larger each time the value corresponding to the item becomes larger.

The items for determining the degradation level are, for example, the added value of the temperature of the heater 23 or the reproduction degree of the input and output of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The added value of the temperature of the heater 23 is a value obtained by adding the temperatures when the heater 23 is driven. For example, the average temperature, the intermediate temperature, or the maximum temperature of the heater 23 when the execution module is used. The temperature of the heater 23 may be a ratio of the execution temperature to the limit temperature of the heater 23 or a difference between the execution temperature and the limit temperature of the heater 23.

The reproduction degree of the input and output of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 is determined by referring to the relationship between the input value for driving the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 and the output of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The ratio of the actual output value to the specified output value for the specified input to the output value specified in the relationship is used.

[4.2 Effect and the like ]

As described above, the apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment includes: at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23; and a control unit 24 that controls at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, wherein the control unit 24 acquires an application program defined by a plurality of modules for driving at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, each of the plurality of modules having a parameter for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23, acquires degradation information indicating whether or not at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is degraded, and changes the application program by changing at least one first module included in the plurality of modules with reference to a first rule defining a first parameter range in which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not permitted, in a case where the degradation information indicates that at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is degraded, the at least one first module having a parameter included in the first parameter range, and changes the application program by changing at least one second module included in the plurality of modules with reference to a second rule defining a second parameter range different from the first parameter range in which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not permitted, and changes the application program by changing the at least one second module included in the second parameter included in the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and changing the application program by changing the at least one second module included in the second parameter included in the application program, and the application program.

Thereby, the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 can be driven based on the application program defined by the plurality of modules. Therefore, an application using a module obtained by abstracting the control of the device 20 can be developed, and various applications developed in this way can be easily executed by the device 20. Also, a module having a parameter included in the first parameter range that is not allowed can be changed before the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven based on the application. Thus, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven with the parameter that is not allowed. That is, it is possible to suppress the application program that cannot safely control the device 20 from being executed, and it is possible to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application program. Further, different parameter ranges can be used according to the degradation information of the device 20, and by using the module, it is possible to execute a drive instruction issued from the application side to the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 while taking into consideration the performance of the equipment degraded with age, and it is possible to further improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application.

(other embodiments)

The system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiments, the sequence manager 100 and the device manager 200 are included in the cloud server 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Sequence manager 100 and/or device manager 200 may also be included in apparatus 20. The UI 400 is included in the terminal 30, but may be included in the device 20.

In each of the above embodiments, the application program may be changed based on the degradation information. For example, the device 300 may acquire a conversion method corresponding to a degradation level with reference to parameter conversion information obtained by associating a plurality of degradation levels with a plurality of conversion methods of parameters, and convert parameters included in a module using the acquired conversion method. The transformation method may be defined by, for example, a transformed value or a coefficient applied to a value before transformation.

In the above embodiments, the module is changed when the parameter is included in the non-allowable range before the execution confirmation, and the module is executed thereafter, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the parameter is included in the non-allowable range, the module may not be executed and the device manager 200 and/or the sequence manager 100 may be notified of execution suspension (error) when the state of the device 300 is different from the assumed state.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can be used for home appliances and the like that can execute an application program defined by a plurality of functional modules.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a system; 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d: a facility; 10: a cloud server; 11: a processor; 12: a memory; 20. 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h: a device; 21: a housing; 22: an actuator; 23: a heater; 24: a control unit; 30. 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d: a terminal; 31: a display; 32: an input device; 100: a sequence manager; 200: a device manager; 300. 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d, 300e, 300f, 300g, 300h: equipment; 400. 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d: a UI;500: a washing machine; 501: a housing; 502: a water tank; 503: a washing tank; 504: a washing motor; 505: a door; 506: a door lock mechanism; 507: a vibration sensor; 511: a water supply valve; 512: a water supply pipe; 513: automatic putting machine; 515: a water level sensor; 516: a bathtub water pump; 517: bathtub water piping; 521: a drain pipe; 522: a drain filter; 523: a drain valve; 524: a circulation pump; 525: a circulation pipe; 531: an intake air sensor; 532: a heat pump; 533: a pipeline; 534: a circulation fan; 535: a warm air sensor; 536: a bacteria removal device; 541: a first foam sensor; 542: a second foam sensor; 543: a warm water heater; 544: a warm water sensor; 550: a control device; 560: an operation panel; 570: a communication unit; 1000. 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1050, 1060, 1070a, 1080, 1090, 1100, 1110, 1120, 1130, 1140, 1301: a module; 1011. 1012, 1021 to 1023, 1031, 1041, 1051 to 1056, 1061 to 1065, 1071, 1072, 1081, 1091, 1101, 1102, 1111, 1112, 1121, 1131, 1132, 1141, 1151 to 1153: a parameter; 1200: a device database; 1201: device information; 1300: executing the content declaration; 1302: information relating to the device; 1303: sequence information; 1400. 1400C: a rule database; 1401 to 1405, 1401C, 1402C, 1403C, 1404C: a rule; 1410: classification rules; 1500: a washing amount determination step; 1510: a water supply step; 1511: sharing information; 1520. 1522, 1524: a dehydration step; 1521. 1523, 1525, 1541: determining information; 1530: rinsing; 1540: a drying step; f100: a preparation stage; f200: an application pre-execution phase; f300: an application execution phase.

Claims

1. A washing machine capable of communicating with an external device, the washing machine comprising:

a communication part which receives washing information from the external device;

a washing function unit that performs an operation related to washing of laundry based on the washing information; and

a control device for controlling the washing function part,

wherein the washing information includes sequence information and a plurality of control information, each of the plurality of control information is control information related to a parameter for controlling an operation of the washing function part, and the sequence information is information related to a sequence in which the plurality of control information is executed,

the control device corrects the washing information based on a rule related to a washing sequence, and causes the washing function unit to execute an operation based on the washing information by executing the corrected washing information.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein,

the control device adds third control information to the wash information as control information in an order executed subsequent to the first control information, when the rule does not permit execution of first control information included in the wash information and second control information set in the order information in an order executed subsequent to the first control information.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein,

the control device corrects the information related to the parameter included in the first control information or the information related to the parameter included in the second control information when the rule does not permit execution of the first control information included in the washing information and the second control information set as the order to be executed subsequent to the first control information in the order information.

4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the control device restricts execution of the second control information when the rule does not allow first control information included in the washing information and second control information set to an order to be executed subsequent to the first control information in the order information.

5. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

in the rule, the following is not allowed: the first control information includes a parameter related to water supply to a tub of the washing machine, and the second control information includes a parameter for controlling operation performed in a water-forbidden environment.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5,

the operation performed in the water-inhibited environment includes an operation that is not permitted to be performed when water is stored in the tank.

7. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

in the rule, the following is not allowed: the first control information includes a parameter related to heating within a tub of the washing machine, and the second control information includes a parameter for controlling operation performed in a heat-inhibited environment.

8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein,

the operation performed in the heat-inhibited environment includes an operation that is not permitted to be performed when the temperature in the tank is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

9. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

in the rule, the following is not allowed: the first control information includes a parameter related to rotation of a tub of the washing machine in which water is stored, and the second control information includes a parameter for controlling operation performed in a deactivated environment.

10. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

in the rule, the following is not allowed: the first control information includes a parameter related to air supply into a tub of the washing machine, and the second control information includes a parameter for controlling an operation performed in a deactivated environment.

11. The washing machine according to claim 9 or 10,

the operation performed in the inhibited environment includes an operation that does not allow the water surface in the tank to shake.

12. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

in the rule, the following is not allowed: the first control information includes a parameter for rotating a tub of the washing machine at a first rotation, and the second control information includes a parameter for rotating the tub at a second rotation different from the first rotation.

13. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein,

a first rotational speed of the first rotation is different from a second rotational speed of the second rotation.

14. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein,

the direction of the first rotation is different from the direction of the second rotation.

15. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the control device adds, in the washing information, third control information including a parameter related to drainage from the tank as control information of a procedure executed between the first control information and the second control information, based on the rule, when first control information included in the washing information includes a parameter related to water supply to a tank of the washing machine, and second control information set as a procedure executed subsequent to the first control information in the procedure information includes a parameter for controlling an operation executed under a water-inhibited environment.

16. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein,

the control device corrects, based on the rule, second control information in which first control information included in the washing information includes a parameter related to water supply to a tank of the washing machine and second control information set as a sequence to be executed subsequent to the first control information includes a parameter for controlling an operation executed in a water-inhibited environment, so that the parameter related to water discharge from the tank is added immediately before the parameter for controlling the operation executed in the water-inhibited environment.

17. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein,

the control device adds, in the washing information, third control information including a parameter relating to heat dissipation from the tub as control information of a sequence executed between the first control information and the second control information, based on the rule, when first control information included in the washing information includes a parameter relating to heating in the tub of the washing machine, and second control information set as a sequence executed subsequent to the first control information in the sequence information includes a parameter for controlling an operation executed in a heat-inhibited environment.

18. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the control device corrects, based on the rule, second control information in which first control information included in the washing information includes a parameter related to heating in a tub of the washing machine and second control information set as a sequence to be executed subsequent to the first control information in the sequence information includes a parameter for controlling an operation executed in a heat-inhibited environment, so that the parameter related to heat dissipation of the tub is added immediately before the parameter for controlling the operation executed in the heat-inhibited environment.

19. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein,

the control device, based on the rule, in a case where first control information included in the washing information overlaps with second control information set as a sequence to be executed subsequent to the first control information in the sequence information, (i) deletes the first control information or the second control information, or (ii) deletes information related to the parameter included in the first control information or information related to the parameter included in the second control information.

20. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the control device performs the following processing:

(i) Classifying the plurality of pieces of control information included in the washing information into one or more washing steps based on a classification rule, and (ii) correcting the washing information by adding, to a first washing step of the one or more washing steps, common information on control common to the one or more pieces of first control information included in the first washing step;

causing the washing function part to perform an operation based on the washing information by executing the corrected washing information,

the one or more first control information are consecutive in the order.

21. The washing machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein,

further comprises a detection part for detecting the operation state of the washing function part,

the common information includes detection information for the control device to acquire the operating state during execution of the first washing step from the detection unit,

the control device performs the following processing:

acquiring the operating state from the detection unit while the first washing step is being performed by executing the detection information;

executing a second washing process subsequent to the first washing process by the washing function unit when the first washing process is completed with the acquired operating state satisfying a predetermined condition;

when the acquired operating state does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the first washing step is stopped, and the washing function unit is caused to execute a third washing step different from the second washing step.

22. The washing machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein,

the second washing step includes second control information subsequent to the one or more first control information being relayed in the order among the plurality of control information.

23. The washing machine as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein,

the detection information is information for the control device to successively acquire the operating state from the detection portion during execution of the first washing step,

the control device executes the detection information to sequentially acquire the operation state from the detection unit during execution of the first washing step.

24. The washing machine according to any one of claims 21 to 23,

the first washing process is a water supply process or a water discharge process,

the detection information is information for detecting speed information related to a speed of change of a water level in a water tank provided in the washing machine in the water supply step or the water discharge step,

the predetermined condition is that the speed information is included in a range of predetermined speed information,

the control device performs the following processing:

acquiring the speed information from the detection section as the operation state;

causing the washing function unit to execute the second washing step subsequent to the water supply step or the water discharge step when the water supply step or the water discharge step is completed with the acquired speed information included in the range of the predetermined speed information;

and stopping the water supply step or the water discharge step and causing the washing function unit to perform the third washing step different from the second washing step when the acquired speed information is not included in the range of the predetermined speed information.

25. The washing machine according to any one of claims 21 to 23,

the first washing process is a water supply process or a stirring process,

the detection information is information for detecting a state of foam generation in a water tank provided in the washing machine in the water supply step or the agitation step,

the prescribed condition is that the generation of the foam is not detected,

the control device performs the following processing:

acquiring a generation status of the foam from the detection portion as the operation state;

causing the washing function unit to execute the second washing step subsequent to the water supply step or the agitation step when the water supply step or the agitation step is completed with the acquired foam generation status indicating that the foam generation is not detected;

and stopping the water supply step or the agitation step and causing the washing function unit to execute the third washing step different from the second washing step when the acquired foam generation status indicates that the foam generation is detected.

26. The washing machine according to any one of claims 21 to 23,

the first washing process is a drying process,

the detection information is used for detecting the current value of the fan motor of the air supply fan for supplying air into the water tank of the washing machine in the drying process,

the predetermined condition is that the current value is equal to or less than a first threshold value,

the control device performs the following processing:

acquiring the current value from the detection portion as the operation state;

causing the washing function unit to execute the second washing step subsequent to the drying step when the drying step is completed with the acquired current value kept at or below the first threshold value;

when the acquired current value exceeds the first threshold value, the drying process is stopped, and the third washing process different from the second washing process is executed by the washing function unit.

27. The washing machine according to any one of claims 21 to 23,

the first washing process is a dehydration process,

the detection information is used for detecting the vibration of the water tank in the washing machine in the dehydration process,

the predetermined condition is that the magnitude of the vibration is a second threshold value or less,

the control device performs the following processing:

acquiring the magnitude of the vibration from the detection unit as the operating state;

causing the washing function unit to execute the second washing step subsequent to the dehydration step when the dehydration step is completed with the magnitude of the acquired vibration kept at or below the second threshold value;

and stopping the dehydration step and causing a washing function unit to execute the third washing step different from the second washing step when the magnitude of the acquired vibration exceeds the second threshold value.

28. The washing machine according to any one of claims 20 to 27,

the washing machine further includes:

a timer unit for measuring an elapsed time from the start of the first washing step; and

a display part for displaying the display position of the display part,

the common information includes time measurement information for causing the time measurement unit to measure an elapsed time from the start of the first washing step and causing the display unit to display time information on the elapsed time measured by the time measurement unit,

the control device executes the time counting information to display time information on the elapsed time obtained from the time counting unit on the display unit.

29. The washing machine according to any one of claims 20 to 28,

the control device corrects the corresponding washing process based on a correction rule for the corresponding washing process for each of the one or more washing processes.

30. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein,

the control device performs the following processing:

classifying the plurality of pieces of control information included in the washing information into one or more washing steps based on a classification rule;

correcting the washing information by adding determination information to a first washing step among the one or more washing steps, the determination information being information for determining a washing step to be executed subsequent to the first washing step by the washing function unit depending on whether or not the operating state during execution of the first washing step satisfies a predetermined condition;

the one or more first control information are consecutive in the order.

31. A control method performed in a washing machine capable of communicating with an external device, wherein,

receiving, from the external device, washing information including sequence information and a plurality of control information, each of the plurality of control information being control information related to a parameter for controlling an operation related to washing, the sequence information being information related to a sequence in which the plurality of control information is executed,

the washing information is corrected based on a rule related to the order of washing, and an operation related to washing is performed based on the washing information by executing the corrected washing information.

32. The control method according to claim 31, wherein,

in the execution of the said operation(s),

performing an operation based on the washing information by performing the corrected washing information;

the one or more first control information are consecutive in the order.

33. A control system comprising an external device and a washing machine capable of communicating with the external device,

the washing machine is provided with:

a control device for controlling the washing function part,

wherein the washing information includes sequence information and a plurality of control information, each of the plurality of control information is control information related to a parameter for controlling an operation of the washing function part, the sequence information is information related to a sequence in which the plurality of control information is executed,

34. The control system of claim 33,

the control device performs the following processing:

(i) Classifying the plurality of control information included in the washing information into one or more washing steps based on a classification rule, and (ii) correcting the washing information by adding, to a first washing step among the one or more washing steps, common information related to control common to the one or more first control information included in the first washing step;

the one or more first control information are consecutive in the order.